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RECOMMENDATIONS. 



From the late Nathan Smith, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of 
Physic, Surgery, and Midwifery, in the Medical Institution of Yale College. 

This certifies that I have perused a manuscript of the " House 
Surgeon and Physician," and am decidedly of opinion that it is 
better adapted to the use of families, and those unlearned in med- 
ical science, than any other work of the kind which I have ever 
seen ; and especially for the people of this country, on account of 
its containing a better description of the indigenous medical plants 
of this country, and their virtues, than is to be found in any Euro- 
pean publication of this kind. 

NATHAN SMITH. 

New-Haven, April 24, 1818. 

From the late Mason F. Cogswell, M. D., President of the Connecticut Medical 

Society. 

TO THE PUBLIC. 

I hereby certify, that I have perused a treatise, entitled the 
" House Surgeon and Physician," and I have no hesitancy in say- 
ing that it is the best thing of the kind I have ever seen — that is, 
that it is better calculated for family use, and the use of the nursery, 
than any treatise extant. The list of the Plants of our country is 
more full, and their peculiar qualities and virtues are better defined 
and described, than can be found in any of our botanical writers. 
I sincerely wish the work may be encouraged. 

MASON F. COGSWELL. 

Hariford, JLpril IS, 1818 



THE 

HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN : 

DESIGNED 

TO ASSIST HEADS OF FAMILIES, TRAVELLERS, AND 
SEA-FARING PEOPLE, 

IN 

DISCERNING, DISTINGUISHING, AND CURING 

DISEASES; 

WITH 

CONCISE DIRECTIONS 

FOR THE 

PREPARATION AND USE OF A NUMEROUS COLLECTION OF 

THE BEST AMERICAN REMEDIES: 

TOGETHER WITH 

MANY OF THE MOST APPROVED, FROM THE SHOP OF THE 
APOTHECARY. 



ALL IN PLAIN ENGLISH. 



BY W. M. HAND. 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION, 
BY J. L. COMSTOCK, M. D. 

THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND IMPROVED. 




HARTFORD : 
PUBLISHED BV S/ANDRUS AND SON. 

1847. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by 

SILAS ANDPOTS & SON, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Connecticut. 






PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



Every mortal is liable to be thrown into suffering by accident, 
or by disease ; and no situation or circumstance of life exempts 
any one from " the common lot." 

Physicians and Surgeons cannot be present in every place ; nor 
can they alone do every thing, which should be done for those to 
whom they are called. The sick and wounded must depend much 
on nurses and attendants ; and almost every individual thing which 
is done for the sick, is influenced by the notions or prejudices of 
the attendants. How important, then, that the means of informa- 
tion relating to the healing art, be extended to every one who may 
suffer, or who can watch. There are cases, also, where medical 
aid cannot be obtained ; and shall the sufferer lie without relief ? 

In the following work, I have attempted, in the plainest lan- 
guage, to inform the reader what he should do, when he is a wit- 
ness to pain and sickness, and no one present better informed than 
himself. 

In the pursuit of this object, I have made a free use of any and 
every author, whose work I could obtain, without marking any 
quotations. This I should not have done, but as it became neces- 
sary to alter the dress of that which was designed for the learned, 
to make it intelligible to the unlearned. 

How far I have succeeded in divesting my work of technics, or 
whether I have not in many instances run into vulgarity, I cannot 
myself determine ; but this I can say, I have in every case sacrificed 
every thing to the desire of being fully understood. We, who are 
taught our profession in a language of made-up hard words, get 
so familiarized to the use of them, that we scarcely know when 



VI PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 

we ornament our style, or embellish our conversation, with the 
ribbands of Greece and rags of Rome. 

It is not necessary for me, here, to say much of my plan, or 
the execution of it ; a little time will suffice to make the reader 
acquainted with it; and that without a glossary. Every body 
knows there can be enough taken out of a library to make a great 
book ; but I have taken the greatest pains to keep mine a small 
one. 

In the Surgical part, I have endeavoured to describe what every 
man may do, (and they may do much;) in many cases, immediate 
and effectual assistance may be afforded, where people are now idle 
spectators ; and frequently departing life may be staid, till a surgeon 
arrives to make all safe. 

In the part which treats of Diseases, I have been the fullest on 
those which are of minor consequence, and manageable ; in the 
more terrible forms of disease, I have particularly pointed out urgent 
and alarming symptoms, that medical aid may be called in time. 

The part which contains Recipes for Apothecaries' Medicines, 
will be found convenient. 

What is said of American Remedies, I think may be relied on. 
The collection is sufficiently numerous to answer every purpose of 
medicine in common hands, and they should always be preferred, 
when and where they can be obtained. Where the common names 
are not certainly known, recourse should be had to a botanist, who, 
of all people in the world, is most ready to communicate. 

Should a very learned critic cast his eye on these pages, he will 
here learn, that this book was written for the unlearned; and he 
will also learn, that a handkerchief tied loosely round a man's leg, 
above a wounded and bleeding artery, and a stick twisted into it, 
will as effectually save life as a surgeon's turniquet — and many other 
such things. He will therefore please spare this little work, for 
the sake of him whose house is far removed from the surgeon, and 
who has no money to pay the physician. 

June 22, 1818. 



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



The primary object and design of the author is sufficiently de- 
clared and explained in the preface to the first edition ; yet, it should 
be further stated, that other considerations were not without their 
influence in the origin and progress of the work. 

Every man owes to his country, his endeavours to rid the com- 
munity as much as possible from the ills and disagreeables which 
breed in, or hover over society ; the least among which, are not the 
empiric and gossip. Besides, there is a blind credulity (not indeed 
confined to the unlettered,) which could not exist but in minds totally 
devoid of information on subjects relating to the healing art. 

Else, why do .we see the able physician, whose qualifications are 
unquestionable, and whose integrity was never doubted, set aside 
for the self-puffed, ofnceless, ignorant quack ; and why, the plain 
suggestions of nature, and the plainer dictates of common sense, 
thrown away, for the mutilated relics of incantations and witch- 
craft. 

It was easy to foresee who would scout the idea, that a practical 
work on medicine and surgery in familiar English, could be useful. 
Indeed, the supercilious mouthings of little men, dubbed Doctors, 
only because they can try tricks, and talk hocus pocus, was antici- 
pated. 

. Have not the pains and sicknesses incident to our nature, travelled 
in company with our mother-tongue, down the generations of our 
fathers even to us ? can any one in his sober senses suppose for a 
moment that the language of a nation is not a mirror of its troubles ? 
If our vernacular tongue is filled with signs of suffering, and types 
of disease, it is rich in the names of remedies ; and that man is a 
heathen who would hide them under an affectation of foreign 
gibberish. 

Let it not be supposed that it is here meant to lower the physician 



vm PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 

in the estimation of the people, or to depreciate learning ; far other- 
wise ; it is intended, to enable the people to appreciate their physi- 
cian according to his true worth, and to look at the sun of science 
through a better medium than smoked glass. 

Neither the arts nor the learned professions should be denied the 
aid of 'technology ; yet the artist and professor should remember 
that the English language is sufficient to all the common purposes 
of intercourse ; and that the man of learning, who cannot commu- 
nicate with the world, in the world's vernacular tongue, has no claim 
on the public ; he may indeed be a very industrious man in his clos- 
et, but a very useless one in society. The perfection of art is to 
do without apparatus, and here the great man and the useful man, 
meet on common well known ground, and here true learning and 
common sense embrace without reserve. 

In corroboration of what has been here said, it remains to be 
added—It has been boldly declared from a professor's chair, and by 
one who yields to none in surgery, " that the operator who, if the 
urgency of the case required, could not find a tolerable substitute 
for his instruments in any common well-furnished New-England 
house, was never made for a surgeon." 

Of the subscribers to the first edition, those who were prepared 
by nature, or education, to be benefitted by the reading of any Eng- 
lish book, were pleased with their purchase ; on the other hand, 
those who were ignorant of the common written English phraseol- 
ogy, and all those who consider cant as the key of science, were of 
course dissappointed. 

As was expected, frightful symptoms of discomfiture appeared 
among all the penny -wise venders and dispensers of drugs, which 
reminds one of the shrieking and scampering of the witches, when 
an honest guest said grace at their table. 

The liberal members of the profession, who despise mystery, 
with all mean acts and actions, bave bestowed full approbation on 
the work, and generously proffered their assistance to mend and 
bring it to perfection. 

After all, it is but an essay, and the writer claims indulgence, 
chiefly because none who were qualified to finish such a work, have 
as yet undertaken so necessary a public service. 



PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. ix 

Ours is a noble profession when followed in the spirit of it, yet 
most thanklessly requited, because the body is measured by its little 
members. Yet, who has not seen the sick-worn countenance 
brighten at the sight of a good physician ? 5 Tis nothing to " set 
the table all on a roar" when health is there, and all are full of glee 
and merriment ; but to carry smiles, and ease, and hope, and joy to 
the sad group who anxiously watch over the restless bed of wast- 
ing fever,— is a most gracious errand. Such men there are, and 
would to heaven their community so occupied the ground, that like 
as in a noble forest, there could grow no under shrubs or brambles. 

It is enough, that politicians hold " that all mankind insist on be- 
ing cheated and ridden," and that themselves may as well ride as 
any body. But softly, lest the patriot point to the Mantuan apothe- 
cary, and say, 

" An if a man did need a poison now, 

Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him." 



INTRODUCTION. 



The following treatise was written by a gentleman of educa- 
tion and science, and, in the opinion of the public and his brethren, 
of high standing in the medical profession ; nor is any extraneous 
circumstance necessary to shew that he was well acquainted with 
the subjects on which he wrote. The careful perusal of the book, 
indeed, will bring with it a conviction that it was not only written 
with discretion and care, but also that it cost the author much labo- 
rious investigation ; and especially is this true with respect to the 
latter part, which involves more botanical knowledge, with regard 
to species, and a higher degree of information, concerning the prop- 
erties and virtues of indigenous plants, than was common to the 
medical faculty, at that, or even at the present time. It is evident, 
too, (for every page shows it,) that he was constantly aware to 
whose use this medical and surgical treatise was to be dedicated, 
for he continually guards the uneducated in medicine not to ven- 
ture too far in the use of powerful remedies, of whatever kind.— 
He takes care, also, not fo fall into popular errors, for the purpose 
of gaining popularity for his book ; on the contrary, as a medical 
man ought always to do, he often contradicts the common prejudi- 
ces of the people, and of pretenders, even at the hazard of his own 
paramount knowledge, in the opinions of many people generally 
esteemed judicious. Thus at page 120, he directs that in case of 
insensibility from concussion, the patient should have a cordial, 
but not be bled. Here a very common, and no doubt often a fatal 
error is contravened ; for bleeding, during the debility from con- 
cussion of the brain, has undoubtedly often destroyed the patient ; 
and yet friends will sometimes insist upon it, and perhaps even 
offer to take upon themselves the responsibility. 
We do not profess to know the virtues of all the plants in the 



XI 1 INTRODUCTION. 

numerous catalogue which Dr. Hand has here introduced, but 
judging from the known properties of a considerable portion of 
them, it is but a fair inference to conclude that he has been equally 
mindful of his responsibility with respect to the whole, and that 
he has recommended nothing on the contingencies of mere common 
report. 

The botanical names of many of the plants have been changed 
since the book was written, and, indeed, so frequent are these 
changes, either in consequence of new discoveries, or professed 
improvements in this science, that a new nomenclature to whole 
genera is sometimes affixed within the year. In the present in- 
stance, however, these changes are of no consequence to the com- 
mon reader, since the names by which the plants are generally 
known, often with a good list of synonyms, are retained, and these 
have remained unchanged. 

With respect to the Recipes, the author has certainly been judi- 
cious in the application of his remedies, and always careful, when 
a powerful medicine is recommended, to throw in a caution in re- 
gard to overdosing. 

Finally, the book, without prejudice, can be viewed in no other 
light than as a safe, judicious, and discriminating treatise on family 
remedies, and as such, may, in many instances, be the means of 
doing much good to the community, and especially in such families 
as reside at a distance from a skilful practitioner. 

J. L. COMSTOCK. 

Hartford, January, 1847. 



CONTENTS, 



Page] 

Accidents, Casualties, &c. .116 
Ague .... 50 
A neurism, or Enlarged Artery 1 30 
Animation suspended . 116 
Apoplexy . . . 148 
Apothecaries' Forms of Medi- 
cines . . . 172 
Artery enlarged . . 130 
Asthma . . . 140 

B 

Bandage . ' . 30 

Bandage, application of 30 

Basilicon . . . 178 

Bite of Mad Animals . 33 

Bite of the Rattlesnake 33 

Bite of the Red Adder . 33 

Bite of the Viper . . 32 

Bladder, Inflammation of 72 

Bleeding from the Lungs 162 

Bleeding from the Nose 162 
Bleeding from the Stomach 163 

Blind Boils ... 106 

Blood-letting . . 163 

Blood, stopping of . 27 

Boils, . . . . 106 

Bowels, Inflammation of 71 

Brain, Inflammation of 70 

Breaking up of Fevers . 55 

Broken Bones . •. 41 

Bubo . . . ■ . 101 

Burns and Scalds . 121 

C 

Cancer . . . 127 

Canker ..'.-. . 146 



Carbuncle . 

Cathartic Pills 

Cathartic Powders 

Chancre 

Chicken Pox 

Chilblains . 

Choke damps 

Choking 

Cholera 

Clap . 

Clysters 

Colds . 

Colic . 

Consumption 

Cordials 

Corns 

Costiveness 

Coughs, Asthma, &c. 

Cough, Hooping, 

Cow pox 

Croup 



Tage 
107 
185 
J 84 
101 
.146 
122 
118 
119 
155 
99 
170 
138 
152 
136 
170 
108 
154 
136 
141 
143 
139 



97, 



Diarrhoea 
Diet, Sick, . 
Diseases, Introduction to 
Diseases of the Eyes 
Diseases of Infants, 

Diarrhoea 



155 
170 
47 
124 
94 
97 
Red Gum, 96 
Sore Ears 97 
Thrush 96 
Vomiting 98 
Dislocations, Broken Bones, 
&c 26 



XIV 



CONTEXTS. 



Dislocation of the Jaw . 
Dislocation of the Neck 
Dislocation of the Ribs 
Dislocation of the Shoulder 



37 
3.7 

38 

38 
39 



Dislocation of the Elbow 
Dislocation of the Wrist and 

Fingers . . 40 

Dislocation of the Hip . 49 

Dislocation of the Knees, An- 
kles and Toes . . 41 
Dispensatory . . 171 
Diaphoretic Pills, (sweating) 186 
Diuretic Pills . . 186 
Doses of Medicines . 172 
Dressing of a Broken Leg 44 
Drinks for the Sick . 170 
Dropsy , . . 157 
Dropsy of the Chest , 157 
Dropsy of the Head . 157 
Dropsy of the Knee Joint 129 
Dysentery . . . 147 

E 
Ear, Inflammation of 72 

Ears, sore, . . . 97 

Elixir Paragoric, (Asthmatic) 1 8 1 
Elixir Pro. (Proprietatis) 179 
Elixir Salutis, (of Health) ISO 
Emetics . . . 169 
Epilepsy, (Falling Sickness) 150 
Erysipelas . . . 76 

Essence of Spruce . 192 

Expectorant Pills, (raising 

from the lungs) , 186 

Extracts . . . 190 
Eyes, diseases of . . 124 

Eyes, wounds of ,29 

Eye -water . . . 125 

F 
Face-ache, . , . 110 
Face pimples . . 131 
Falling-sickness . . 150 
Falls . . . . 120 
Family Dispensatory 171 

Female Complaints . 90 

Fevers ' 49 



Fever, Simple Inflammatory 

Fever, Intermittent 

Fever, Remittent, 

Fever, " Inward," 

Fever, Nervous . 

Fevers, breaking up of, 

Fever, Typhus 

Fever, Yellow 

Fever, Spotted 

Fever, Scarlet ■ 

Fever, Hectic 

Fever-sore 

Frost • . 

Fungus 

G 
Ganglion 
Gleet 
Glysters 
Gout , 
Gravel 

H 



49 

50 

53 

52 

53 

55 

56 

57 

59 

63 

137 

66 

121 

121 

46 
102 
170 

75 
103 

111 
130 
137 
141 
34 
94 

94 
68 



Head-ache 
Head, scald 
Hectic Fever 
Hooping-cough 
Hydrophobia 
Hvsteric Affections 

I 
Infants, Diseases of 

:: inflations 
Inflammations, Phlegmonous, 68 
tmations, Erysipelas 68 
Inflammation of the Brain, 70 
Inflammation of the Stomach 70 
Inflammation of the Bowels 71 
Inflammation of the Liver, 71 
Inflammation of the Kidney 72 
Inflammation of the Bladder 72 
Inflammation of the Ear 72 

Influenza . . . 140 
Infusions . . .189 
Insanity . . . 159 
Intermittent Fever . 50 

Introduction to Diseases 47 

"Inward Fever," . 52 





CONTENTS 


::-.- 


Itch .... 


. 160! Pain in the Side . 


112 


J 




Pain in the Stomach 


112 


Jaundice 


159 


Palsy .... 


149 


K 




Paragoric 


181 


Kidney, Inflammation of 


72 


Peripneumony 


64 


King's Evil 


126 


Piles . 


151 


Knee-Joint . 


126 


Pills .... 


176 


L 




Pills, Hull's Colic, 


176 


Laudanum 


181 


Pills, tonic and cathartic 


186 


Lightning 


120 


Pimpled Face 


131 


Liniments 


183 


Plasters 


177 


Liniment, Volatile 


183 


Plaster, Sticking or Adhesive 178 


Liniment of Oil and Lime 


183 


Plaster, Common . 


177 


Liniment, Camphorated Oil 


183 


Pleurisy 


65 


Liniment, Opodeldoc 


183 


Poisons 


113 


Liver, Inflammation of 


71 


Poisons, Aerial 


US 


Lock-jaw 


35 


Poisons, Animal . 


115 


Lung Fever 


64 


Poisons, Mineral 


113 


M 




Poisons, Vegetable 


114 


Marasmus 


80 


Powders, 


176, 184 


Measles 


141 


Powders, Cathartic 


184 


Measures . - . 


171 


Iers 3 Picra 


176 


Medicine, Introduction to, 


166 


Powder of the Gums 


177 


Mineral Poisons . 


113 


Powders, Sweating 


177 


Mortification 


79 


Powders, Dover's 


177 


Mumps 


139 


Powders, Diuretic 


184 


N 




Proud-flesh . 


121 


Nervous Affections 


133 


Pus . 


78 


Nervous Fever 


53 


Q 




Nervous Face-ache 


110 


Quinsy . . . 


73 


Nettle-rash . 


147 


Quinsy, Malignant, 


74 


Nightmare . 


151 


R 




Nose-bleed . 


162 


Rattles 


139 







Recipes, or Apotheca 


ries' 


Ointments - . 




Forms of Medicines 


172 


Ointment, Simple 


178 


Red-Gum 


96 


Ointment of White Hellebore 




Remittent Fever . 


53 


Ointment, Tar 


179 


Rheumatism 


74 


Ointment, Sulphur 


179 


Rickets 


130 


Opiates 


169 


Ringworms, 


131 


Opiate Pills 


185 


Rupture 


123 


Opodeldoc . 


183 


S 




P 




Sal Ammoniac 


173 


Painful Affections 


109 


Salves and Ointments 


178 


Painful Face 


110 


Scalds 


121 


Painful Head 


111 


Scald-head . 


130 



XVI 



CONTENTS. 



Scarlet Fever . . 63 
Scrofula m . . 126 
Scurvy, . . . 160 
Sick-Diet ... 170 
Simple Fever . 49 
Simple Ointment . . 178 
Sirups ... 182 
Sirups, Simple . . 182 
Sirup of Balsam . . 182 
Sirup of Ginger . • . 182 
Sirup of Lemons . . 18*2 
Sirup of Mulberries . 183 
Sirup of Raspberries . 183 
Sirup of Black Currants 183 
Small-pox ... 143 
Sore Ears . . . 97 
Spotted Fever . . 59 
Sprains, or Strains . 45 
St. Anthony's Fire . 77 
Stings of Insects . . 33 
Stitch, or Pain in the Side 112 
Stomach-ache . . 112 
'Stomach, Inflammation of 70 
Stopping of Bleeding . 27 
St. Vitus' Dance . .150 
Stye .... 162 
Sulphur Ointment . 179 
Supplement to Forms of Medi- 
cine ... 184 
Suppuration . . 78 
Suspended animation . 116 
Sweating Medicines . 169 
Swelling in the groin . 101 
Sydenham's Laudanum 125 

T 

Thrush . . . 146 

Thrush of Infants . ■ 96 

Tic Doloureux . . 110 

Tympany . . . 156 

Tinctures, or Elixirs . 179 
Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes 179 

Tincture Elix. Pro. . 179 

Tincture of Assafetida . 180 

Tincture of Senna . 180 
Tincture of Bark, Huxham's, 180 

Tincture of Guaiac. . 181 



Tincture of Rhubarb . 181 
Tincture of Balsam Tolu 182 
Tonic Powders . . 184 
Tooth-ache . . . 109 
Treatment of Female Com- 
plaints . . . 90 
Treatment of Monthly Period 90 
" first appearance 90 
" Suppression 91 
" Deficiency 91 
" Profuse discharge 92 
Cessation . 92 
Whites . 93 
Hysteric . 94 
Tumours, Excrescences, &c. 126 

U 
Ulcers, Boils, &c. . "103 

Ulcers, Healthy . . 104 
Ulcers, Irritable . . 105 
Ulcers, Indolent . . 105 
Union by the first intention 26 
Urine .... 102 
Urine, Involuntary discharge 

of .... 103 
Urine, Stoppage of . 103 

V 
Varix, or Enlarged Vein 123 . 
Vegetable Poisons . 11.4 
Vein enlarged . . 123 

Venereal Disease . 99 

Viper, Bite of . . 32 

Volatile Liniment . 183 

Vomiting of Infants . 98 

W 
Water Brash .* . 162 

Water in the Head . 157 
Ware's Eye- water , . 125 
Warts . . . 132 

Weights and Measures 171 

Weeping or Weakened Sinew 46 
Wen . . . ■ . 132 
White Inflammation of the 

Eyes ... 125 

White Swelling . . 129 
White Vitriol Solution . 175 
Whites, or Sexual Weakness 94 





CONTENTS. 


XVll 


Whitlow .-. 


128 


Wounds, Punctured . 29 


Whooping Cough 


141 


Wounds, Poisonec 


32 


Worms 


161 


Wounds of the Eye 


Wounds 


25 


Y 




Wounds, Cut, simple 


26 


Yellow Basilicon 


175 


Wounds, Lacerated 


•27 


Yellow Fever 


57 


Wounds, Contused 


28 






AMERICAN REMEDIES. 




A 




Apple Peru . 


-..".. 216 


Abies Balsamifera 


191 


Apocynum Androsaemifolium 197 


Abies Canadensis 


192 


Aralia hispida 


198 


Achillea Millefolium 


192 


Aralia nudicaulis 


198 


Achy ran thes rep ens 


192 


Aralia racemosa 


198 


Ac or us Calamus . 


192 


Aralia Spinosa 


199 


Actea alba . 


193 


Arbutus Uva Ursi 


199 


Ac tea rubra . 


193 


Archyrocoma Americana 199 


Adder's tongue 


. - 220 


Arctium Lappa 


200 


Adder's Violet 


220 


Aristolochia Serpentaria 200 


Agave Virginica . 


193 


Aristolochia Siphc 


> . 200 


Ague- weed .. ■ . 


221 


Aronia Arbutifplis 


l . 201 


Aletris alba . 


194 


Artemisia Absinthium . 


Aletris aurea 


194 


Arum Dracontium 


201 


Alnus serrulata 


194 


Arum triphyllum 


201 


Alum -root . 


224, 227 


Asarum Arifolium 


202 


Amaryllis Atamasco 


194 


Asarum Canadensis . 202 


Ambrosia elatior 


195 


Asarum Virginiana . 202 


American Centaury 


242 


Asclepias acuminata . 203 


American Columba 


222 


Asclepias pulchra 


.203 


American Hemlock 


212 


Asclepias Syriaca 


203 


American Holly . 


229 


Asclepias tuberosa . 204 


American Ipecac . 


197, 224 


Atamasco Lily 


194 


American Juniper 


231 


Atriplex Mucronata 


Ameri-can Pennyroyal . 225 


Aven'sroot . 


224 


American Sanicle 


227 


B 




American Senna . 


207 


Balm of Gilead of the garden 236 


American Tormentil 


224 


Balm of Gilead tre 


e . • 240 


Andromeda nitida 


195 


Balsam of Canada 


191 


Anemoides quinquef olia 195 


Balsam of Fir 


191 


Anemoides Virginiana . 195 


Balsam Poplar 


240 


Angelica 


196 


Barberry 


204 


Angelica tree 


199 


Bastard Ipecac 


246 


Angelica atropurea 


196 


Baum, common 


235 


Angelica lobata 


196 


Baum,. Lemon 


235 


Angelica triquinata 


196 


Bay-berry " . 


236 


Anthemis Cotula . 


197 


Bear-berry . 


199 



XV111 



CONTENTS. 



Bears grape 


199 


Cancer-root 


237 


Bears' Whortleberry 


199 


Candle Alder 


194 


Beaumont's root . 


224 


Candle-berry 


236 


Beaver tree . 


234 


Caprifolium Periclymen 


ium 206 


Beech-drops 


237 


Carolina Jessamine 


223 


Bee lark-spur 


218 


Carolina Pink 


244 


Benjamin tree 


220 


Carthamus trinctorius 


206 


Berberis Canadensis 


204 


Cat-gut 


245 


Betula lenta 


205 


Catnip, Cat-mint . 


236 


Birth-root 


246 


Cassia Marilandica 


207 


Birth-wort . 


200 


Caulophylium Thalictroides 207 


Bitter-weed . 


195 


Ceanothus Americanus 


208 


Black Baneberry „ 


235 


Celandine 


209 


Black Birch 


205 


Cephalanthus occidentals 208 


Black Cherry-tree 


208 


Cerasus Virginiana 


208 


Black Cohosh 


235 


Chamssyce corollata 


209 


Black Henbane 


228 


Chamaesyce Ipecacuanh 


3e 209 


Black Snakeroot . 


235, 243 


Chelidonium majus 


209 


Blazing-star 


226 


Chelone glabra 


210 


Blood-root . 


243 


Chenopodium Ambrosioides 210 


B!ue-berried dog-wood 


216 


Chenopodium anthelminti- 


Blue Cohosh 


207 


cum 


210 


Blue Flag . 


230 


Chenopodium Botrys 


211 


Blue Thornapple . 


217 


Cherry Birch 


205 


Bone-set 


221 


Chimaphila corymbosa 


211 


Bowman's-root 


2.24 


Chimaphila maculata 


211 


Box -tree 


215 


Chionanthus Virginica 


211 


Box-wood . 


215 


Choke berries 


201 


Brachystemum linifoliu 


ti 205 


Chrysanthemum Leucanthe- 


Bristly-Ash . 


198 


mum 


212 


Bromus purgans . 


205 


Cicuta bulbifera . 


212 


Broom-rape 


237 


Cicuta maculata . 


212 


Buck-eye 


238 


Cichorium Intybus 


212 


Bur-Dock . 


200 


Cinquefoil . - 


•239 


Butter- cups . 


240 


Clot-bur 


200 


Butterfly-weed 


203 


Coakum 


238 


Butternut . . 


231 


Coccoloba uvifera 


213 


Button Bush 


208 


Cochlearia Armoracia 


213 


Button Snakeroot 


220 


Cock-up-hat 


245 


Button-wood 


208 


Cohosh, black 


235 


C 




Colic-root 


194, 226 


Casonotus Canadensis 


205 


Coltsfoot 


202 


Calla Virginica 


206 


Coltsfoot snakeroot 


202 


Calystegia Sepium 


206 


jolt's tail . 


205 


Camel-tree . 


215 


Columba of Marietta 


222 


Canada Fir . 


192 


' Comptonia Asplenifolia 


214 



CONTENTS. 



XlX 



Conium maculatun 


i 


214 


Continental Tea . 


208 


Convallaria Majalis 


214 


Convolvulus panduratus 


215 


Coptis trifolia . . 


215 


Coral and Pearl , 




193 


Coral wort . 




218 


Cornus circinata 




215 


Cornus florida 




215 


Cornus sericea 




216 


Cotton plant 




225 


Cow-bane . 




212 


Cranes-bill . 




224 


Cross -wort . . 




221 


Crowfoot 




224, 240 


Cucumber-tree 




234 


Cud- weed . 




199 


Cuicum 




238 


Cutlera Catesbsei 




216 


Cutlera Ochroleuca 


216 


Cutlera Saponaria 


216 


D 




Daffodil 


236 


Daffy . 


236 


Dandelion . 


233 


Datura Stramonium 


216 


Datura Tatula 


217 


Decoction 


190 


Deenberry ■ 


223 


Delphinium Consolida 


217 


Delphinium Staphisagrk 


t 218 


Dentaria Diphvi'a 


218 


DeviPs-bit ... 


194, 226 


Devil's-guts 


244 


Dierviila Lutea 


218 


Diospyrus Pubescens 


219 


Diospyrus Yirginiana 


219 


Dock, (broad-leaved) . 


241 


Downy-meadow-sweet 


244 


Dogs-bane . 


197 


Dog-tree 


215 


Dog- wood . 


215 


Dog's-tooth Violet 


220 


Downy Persimon, or Di 


ite 


Plum 




219 



Dragon-root 
Duck's foot . 
Dwarf Elder 

E 
Elder, common 
Elder, Mountain . 
Elecampane 
Elk bark . 
Elm, red 
Elm, slippery 
Erigeron Beliidifolium 
Erigeron Philadelphicum 
Eryngium faetidum 
Eryngium Yuccifolium 
Erythronium lanceoiatum 
Euosmus Benzoin 
Euosmus Sassafras 
Eupatorium perfoliatum 
Eupatorium purpureum 
Eupatorium teucrifolium 
Everlasting . 
Extracts 

F 
Feather-few, Fever-few 
Fennel-leaved Cow-bane 
Fever-wort . 
Five-linger . 
Flower-de-Luce 
Flux-root . 204 ; 

Fly-poison . 
Forty-knot . 
Frazeri-verticilata 
Fringe-tree . 

G 
Galium circaezans 
Garget 

Gaultheria procumbens 
Geiseminum sempervirens 
Georgia bark-tree 
Geranium macuiatum 
Geum nutans 
Giiienia stipulacea 
Gillenia trifoliata 
Ginseng 
Globe-flower 



201 

239 

208 

242 
242 
230 
234 
246 
246 
219 
219 
219 
220 
220 
220 
221 
221 
221 
222 
199 
190 

240 
212 
246 
239 
230 
224 
226 
192 
222 
211 

223 

238 

223 

223 

239 . 

224 

224 

224 

224 

238 

208 



XX 


CONTENTS. 


Goat-tree 


245 


Hypericum perforatum 


Golden-rod, sweet-scented 244 


I 


Golden-thread 


215 


Ilex opaca . 


Gossipium herbaceum . 


225 


Imperatoria Ostruthium 


Gravel-weed 


221 


Indian Hemp 


Great-bear-bind . 


206 


Indian Mustard . 


Green-brier . 


244 


Indian Physic . 224 


Green-dragon 


201 


Indian Posey 


Ground Holly 


211, 223 


Indian ISage 


Ground Ivy 


223 


Indian Turnip 


Groundsel . 


243 


Indian Tobacco 


Grouse-berry . , 


223 


Indigo-weed 


H 




Introduction to American 


Hard-hack . 


244 


Remedies 


Hairy silk-weed . 


203 


Inula Helenium . 


Harvest root 


204 


Ipecacuanhae 


Hazle -alder . 


194 


Iris gracilis . 


Head-flower 


204 


Iris versicolor 


Hedge-bear-bind . 


206 


Iris Virginica 


II ideoma Pulegioides 


225 


Iron-weed . 


Helenium autumnale 


225 


J 


Hellebore, green . 


246 


Jagged Orache 


Helonias dioica 


226 


Jeftersonia diphylla 


Helonias erythrosperma 


226 


Jessamine, Carolina, 


Hemlock 


214 


John's-wort . 


Hemlock Spruce . 


192 


Juglans cinerea 


Henbane 


22S 


Juniperus depressus 


Hepatica triloba . 


227 


Juniper . . 


Herb Bennet 


224 


L 


Herb Christopher 


193 


Lactuca elongata . 


Herb Trinity 


227 


Lactuca sativa 


Hercules club 


199 


Larkspur 


Heuchera viseida . 


227 


Lemon -baum 


Hibiscus palustris 


227 


Leontodon Taraxacum 


Hickory 


212 


Leonurus cardiaca 


Hop . 


227 


Lettuce, common garden 


Hoarhound . \ 


234 


Life of Man 


Honeysuckle 


206 


Life Everlasting . 


Horse-radish 


213 


Lily of the Valley 


Hamulus Lupulus 


227 


Lion's-foot snakeroot . 


Hungary-root 


198 


Liver- wort . 


Hur-bur 


200 


Liriodendron Tulipifera 


Hydrastis Canadensis 


228 


Lobelia . , 203 


Hyoscyamus niger 


228 


Lobelia inilata . ' . 


Hypericum parviflorum 


228 


k Low Centaury 



229 



M 

Magnolia acuminata 
Magnolia auriculata 
Magnolia cordata 
Magnolia glauca . 
Male Whortleberry 
Malva rotundifoiia 
Mallows, common round- 
leaved 
Mandane Tobacco 
Mandrake . 
Marsh Mallows . 
Marsh Rosemary 
Marmbium vulgare 
Master-wort 
Mathen 
May-apple . 
May weed . 
Megotrys Serpentaria 
Melissa cordifolia 
Melissa officinalis 
Melia Azedarach . 
Mentha piperita . 
Mentha viridis 
Mercury 

Mexican-goose-foot 
Milk-weed . 
Millefoil . 
Mint, peppermint 
Mint, common spear 
Monarda didyma . 
Moon-flower 
Mother-wort 
Mountain-berry . 
Mountain Laurel . 
Mountain Mahogany 
Mountain Mint . 
Mountain Tea 
Mouth-root . 
Myrica cerifera 
Myrtle-berry 
Myrtle Flag 
Myrtle- wax 

N 
Narcissus pseudo Narcissus 



CONTENTS. 


XXI 




Nepeta Cataria 


236 


234 


New-Jersey Tea . 


208 


234 


Nicotiana quadrivalvis 


237 


234 


Nicotiana tobaccum 


2.37 


234 


Night-shade, black 


244 


195 







234 


Oak of Cappadocia 


211 


nd- 


Oak of Jerusalem 


210 


234 


Oil-nut 


231 


237 


Old-man's-beard . 


211 


239 


Origanum vulgare 


.237 


227 


Orobanche Virginiana 


237 


245 


Oxalis stricta 


237 


234 


Ox-eye Daisy 


212 


229 


P 




197 


Pal ma Christi 


241 


239 


Panax quinquefolium 


238 


197 


Papaver somniferum 


238 


235 


Pavia rubra 


238 


235 


Pappoose-root 


207 


235 


Partridge-berry 


223 


235 


Peppermint 


236 


236 


Pepper- wort 


218 


236 


Petty- Morrel 


198 


241 


Philadelphia Flea-bane 


219 


210 


Phytolacca decandra 


238 


203 


Pigeon-wood 


199 


192 


Pink, Indian, Carolina 


244 


236 


Pinkneya pub ens 


239 


236 


Pipsissewa . 


211 


236 


Pipperidge-bush . 


204 


212 


Pleurisy-root 


204 


233 


Podalyria tinctoria 


239 


223 


Podophyllum peltatum 


239 


241 


Poison Elder 


198 


205 


Poison Oak . 


241 


205 


Poison Vine 


206 


223 


Poke-weed . 


238 


215 


Pond Dog- wood . 


208 


236 


Polygala Senega . 


239 


236 


Poppy, red and white 


23S 


192 


Populus balsamifera 


240 


236 


Potentiila simplex 


239 




Prenantes serpentaria 


240 


ssus 236 


Prickly-ash 


199, 247 



XXII 



CONTEXTS. 



Pride of India 
Prince's Pine 
Puccoon 
Purging-Broom 
Purple-angelica 
Purple Daisy 
Purple Stink-weed 
Purple Thorn-apple 
Pyramid-flower . 
Pyrethrum Parthenum 

Q 
Quercus alba 
Queen of the Meadow 

R 
Rag-weed . 
Ranunculus acris 
Rattlesnake's-master 
Rattlesnake' s-Plantain 
Rattle-weed 
Red-bane-berry . 
Red Cohosh 
Red-root 

Rheumatism-weed 
Rhododendron maximum 
Rhus Toxicodendron 
Ricara Tobacco . 
Rich-weed . 
Ricinus communis 
Robert's Plantain 
Roman Wormwood 
Rosa Damascena 
Rosa Gallica 
Rose-Bay-Laurel 
Rose, Damask 
Rose, Red . 
Round-leaved Dog-wood 
Rumex obtusifoiius 

S 
Sabatia angularis 
Safflower 
Salix Eriocephala 
Salix viticelfina . 
Sambucus Canadensis 
Sambucus pubens 
Sampson's-Snakeroot 



235 
211 
243 

205 
196 
219 
217 
217 
222 
240 

240 
221 

195 
240 
103 
219 
235 
193 
193 
208 
211 
241 
241 
237 
235 
241 
219 
.195 
241 
241 
241 
241 
241 
215 
241 

242 
206 
242 
242 
242 
242 
216 



Sanguinaria Canadensis 

Sanicula Marilandica 

Panicle 

Sarsaparilla 

Sassafras 

Satureja hortensis 

Savory of the gardens 

Scull-cap 

Scutellaria integrifolia 

Sea-side grape 

Seneca Rattle-snake-root 

Senecio vulgaris . 

Shaw-root . 

Shot-bush . 

Shrub yellow-root 

Silk-weed 

Skevish 

Skunk Cabbage . 

Skoke . . ' 

Smilax Rotundifolia 

Snake-head . 

Snakeroot . 

Snake-weed 

Sneeze-weed 

Solanum nigrum * 

Solidago odora 

Sorrel . 

Sorrel-tree . 

Sour-wood . 

Spice berry . 

Spice bush . 

Spice wood . 

Spigelia Marilindica 

Spikenard . 

Spiraea tomentosa 

Spotted Geranium 

Spurge 

Squaw-root . 207, 

Stagger-grass 

Star-grass 

Star-root 

Star- wort . . 194, 

Statice Limonium 

Staves-acre . 

Still ingia sylvatica 



CONTENTS. 



XX111 



Stinking Chamomile . 197 

Stinking Eryngo . . 219 

Stinking Holly . . 219 

Stink-weed. ." 216 

Swallow-wort . . 203 

Swamp dog-wood . 216 

Swamp Sassafras . 234 

Sweet Birch . . 205 

Sweet Calamus . . 192 

•Sweet Cicely . . 246 

Sweet Fern . . . 214 

Sweet Flag , . . 192 

Sweet Lavender cotton 199 

Sweet Myrtle grass . 192 

Symplocarpus fetida . 245 

T 

Tall Lettuce . . 232 

Tanacetum vulgare . 245 

Tansey . . . 245 

Tea-berry ... 223 

Tephrosia Virginica . 245 

Thick-leaved Snakeroot 193 

Thimble- weed . . 195 

Thorn apple . . 216 

Thorough stem 221 

Thorough wax . . 221 

Thorough-wort . . 221 

Toad sorrel . . . 237 

Tobacco . . . 237 

Tobacco, Mandane . 237 

Tobacco Ricara . . 237 

Tooth-ache tree . . 199 

Tooth-ache- wort . . 218 

Trillium erectum . . 246 

Trillium 246 

Triostium perforatum . 246 

Trumpet-weed . . 221 

Tulip Tree ... 233 

U 

UlmusFulva . . 246 
Unicorn . . 194, 226 

Uraspermum Claytoni . 246 

UvaUrsi . . 199 

V 

Variegated Wintergreen 211 



Vegetable Antimony 
Veratrum viride . 
Verbena hastata . 
Vervain, blue-flowered, 

(large,) ; 
Virginian Anemone 
Virginia Snakeroot 
Virginia 
Viola pedata 
Violet, Parsley-leaved 

W 
Wake Robin 
Water Avens 
Water Cowbane 
Water Hemlock 
Water Silkweed 
White Ash . 
White Cohosh 
White Oak bark 
White Poplar 
White Root 
White Walnut 
White Weed 
White Wood 
Wild Angelica 
Wild Carrot 
Wild Cherry-tree 
Wild Colomba 
Wild Elder . 
Wild Fennel 
Wild Gentian 
Wild Ginger 
Wild Hoar hound 
Wild Hyssop 
Wild Indigo 
Wild Ipecac 
Wild Lettuce 

Wild Liquorice . 198, 
Wild Marjorum 
Wild Potato vine 
Wild Sarsaparilla 
Wild Senna 
Wild Turnip 
Willow, common yellow 
Willow, swamp, rose, or puss \ 



XXIV 



CONTENTS. 



Wind Flower 
Wind Root . 
Winter^reen 
Wood-bind . 
Wood-sorrel 
Wormseed . 
Wormwood 

Yarrow 



211, 



195 
204 
223 
206 
237 
210 
201 

192 



Yaw-weed . . 245 

Yellow Jessamine . 223 
Yellow upright Honeysuckle 218 

Yellow Root . " . 228 

Yellow-Root, Shrub, . 247 

Z 

Zanthoriza Apiifolia . 247 

Zanthoxylum Ramiflorum 247 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



{The Recipes, referred to throughout the work, will be found numerically 
arrangedj beginning on page 172.] 



WOUNDS, 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 

A wound is a recent division of the soft parts of the body, 
suddenly occasioned by external causes. 

The degree of danger attending any wound depends very 
much on some of the following circumstances : The extent 
of the injury; the additional violence which the fibres of 
the part have suffered, besides their division ; the nature 
of the nerves and blood-vessels which happen to be cut ; 
the nature of the wounded part, in respect to its general 
power of healing kindly or not ; whether the operations of 
the system at large, and life itself, can be well supported or 
not, while the functions of the wounded part are disturbed, 
interrupted, or suspended by the accident; the age of the 
patient ; the goodness or badness of the constitution ; and 
the opportunities which there may be of receiving proper 
surgical aid, and assistance of every kind, 
2 3 



26 HOUSE SURGEON" AND PHYSICIAN. 

Wounds made by a sharp cutting instrument need no 
description. Remove every extraneous substance from the 
wound ; clean it with a soft sponge, or cloth, and warm 
water ; dry the skin with a warm soft cloth ; bring the 
sides neatly and closely together with straps of adhesive- 
plaster : the straps should be an inch wide, and extend 
across the wound far enough to secure it from gaping. 
The number of straps should be in proportion to the extent 
of the wound, and the width of a wheat corn between them, 
to allow the escape of any fluid which may run from the 
wound. Over the straps should be placed a cushion of soft 
lint, and over the whole a bandage drawn agreeably tight, 
and making equal pressure. 

Under this dressing, a clean cut wound may be expected 
to heal without the formation of matter, i. e. without sup- 
puration • and this is what surgeons call union by the first 
intention. A cooling diet and regimen should be observed ; 
and every kind of motion and disturbance of the part 
avoided. The rest is the work of nature.* 

This dressing should not be removed till the third or 
fourth day, or longer. If pain or heat are felt in the 
wound, wet the dressing with spirit and water, or mineral 
water, frequently. 

All this may be performed by any ingenious person, pro- 

* Some surgeons prefer a plaster somewhat stimulating, in dress- 
ing a wound with a view to its healing by the first intention ; and 
as a substitute for the common adhesive-plaster, prefer the Balsam 
of Fir or Burgundy Pitch. Indeed, when we consider that, within 
a few years, symptoms, strictly inflammatory, have almost ceased 
to attend our fevers, and that a cordial and invigorating treatment 
is indispensable in almost all our diseases, it should seem that even 
a simple wound might require excitants to enable the parts to take 
an adhesive inflammation. — See Balsam Fir. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 27 

vided the bleeding from the wound ceases after the proper 
cleansing; and this is commonly the case, unless a large 
blood-vessel is cut. When an artery is cut, the blood is 
of a bright scarlet colour, and gushes from the bleeding 
vessel in jets, with great force. When a vein is cut, the 
blood runs in an even unbroken stream, of a dark purple- 
red colour. 

Stopping of Bleeding.* 

Pressure is the best means of stopping blood. If the 
wound be small, pressure of the thumb or palm of the 
hand, (resting most on the side next the heart, if an artery 
is bleeding, and the opposite side, if a vein,) is commonly 
sufficient while the dressings are preparing. Should a 
large vessel continue to throw out blood, so as to endanger 
life, press into the wound a handful of lint, or a rolled 
bandage, or a sponge; round it tie your neck-cloth or 
handkerchief, loop in a stick, and twist till the blood is 
effectually stopped. Send for an experienced surgeon. 

LACERATED WOUNDS. 
A lacerated wound is made by violently tearing the parts 
asunder ; the edges of this kind of wound are unequal and 

* Persons unskilled in surgery are apt, when they see a bleeding 
wound, to stuff in cobwebs, puff-ball, and such-like things, to stop 
blood, and, were they learned, they might quote high authority for 
£0 doing. Yet tradition, nor learning, nor authority, can change 
the nature of such uncouth applications : they are extraneous sub- 
stances, and must ultimately.be got rid of only by suppuration, 
which is a tedious process. A button of alum or copperas may 
be sometimes advantageously applied to a small bleeding vessel; 
these have been known to stop the bleeding, and disappear, so as 
not to hinder the union of the wound by the first intention. — See 
article Bandage. 



28 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

}a,gged. But little blood issues from a lacerated wound,, 
even though a large blood-vessel is ruptured. Whole 
limbs have been torn from the body without the occurrence 
of bleeding ; but we know that a great wound, with little 
bleeding, was made with great violence. 

Treatment. — Clean the wound, as directed for simple 
cuts ; restore the parts, as near as may be, to their natural 
position. Apply warm emollient poultices and fomenta- 
tions. Should slouching (i. e. dving and cleaving out of 
the wounded parts) ensue, the treatment laid down for 
mortifications is proper. Opium should be taken, to allay 
the pain and irritation. When the laceration is but slight, 
a union by the first intention, as in cuts, may sometimes 
be effected ; at least, the attempt should be made ; if upon 
trial it fail, no harm is done, and we can still resort to the 
poultices and fomentations. 

CONTUSED WOUNDS, 

Made by the stroke of a blunt instrument against any part of 
the body; the skin remaining unbroken, and black and blue 
spots appearing on the bruised parts . 

Treatment. — -Slight bruises require only to be covered 
with linen wet with vinegar and water, brandy, alum water 
or mineral water, No. I. 

The bruised part should be kept quiet, with the muscles 
relaxed. A dose of salts is sometimes requisite. When, 
however, the contusion is greater, bleeding and saline pur- 
gatives are proper. Equal parts of vinegar and water, or 
hartshorn and vinegar and water, form an excellent wash. 
When the inflammation has a little abated, use No. 2 or 3. 
Sometimes a little laudanum or camphor is added, where 
there is tenderness of the part to which it is applied. Gentle 
pressure from a bandage should not be omitted. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 29 

When a contusion absolutely kills the skin or flesh, treat 
it as is directed for lacerated wounds. 

PUNCTURED WOUNDS, 
Made by a sharp -pointed instrument, as by a dagger, 

bayonet, scissors, fyc. 
Punctured wounds are not only dangerous on account of 
their depth, injury of blood-vessels, nerves, or vital parts; 
they also frequently give rise to extensive inflammation. 
Immense agitation of the nervous system, even to lock-jaw, 
sometimes follows the infliction of a punctured wound. 

Treatment. — Punctured wounds are not apt to heal, but 
form deep-seated ulcers. But as no man can tell whether 
such wounds will heal or not, and as no harm can result 
from the attempt to unite them by the first intention ; the 
orifice should be closed by straps of adhesive-plaster, and 
gentle compression applied along the whole course of the 
wound. Perfect quietude is to be observed. When the 
pain is severe, opium is to be administered. Sometimes, 
under this treatment, the wound speedily unites by the first 
intention. More frequently, however, in cases of deep 
stabs, the pain is intolerable, and the inflammation runs so 
high, as to leave no hope of avoiding suppuration. In this 
condition, an emollient poultice is the best application. 
When matter is formed, the treatment must conform to the 
principles laid down under the head Suppuration, which see. 

WOUND OF THE EYE. 

The slightest wound on the ball of the eye, especially 
if it be near the sight, should not be neglected. A flying 
chip, or stroke, or scratch, may induce inflammation which 
will destroy the sight ; to prevent which, cover the eye 
from the light, with a cloth dipped in spirit and water, sus- 



30 HOUSE SURGEON ANI> PHYSICIAN, 

pended from a riband, tied round the forehead. This will, 
if properly managed, prevent inflammation. If the symp- 
toms increase, send for an experienced surgeon. 

BANDAGE. 

A bandage may be made either of flannel, linen, or cotton 
cloth. For common surgical purposes, humhum or calico 
is preferred, as being softer and more elastic. Bandages 
should be of three or four fingers' breadth, and of sufficient 
length to accomplish the objects hereafter described. 

In applying a bandage, care should be taken that it be 
put on tight enough to fulfil the object in view, without run- 
ning any risk of stopping the circulation, or doing harm in 
any other way. If it be not sufficiently tight to support the 
parts in a proper manner, it is useless ; if it be too tense, it 
will produce swelling, inflammation, and soon mortification . 

To apply a roller {bandage rolled up) skilfully, th@ part 
which it is to cover must be put in its proper situation ; the 
head of the roller held in the surgeon's hand, and only so 
much unrolled as will go once round the part. 

In general, the bandage should, if possible, be applied in 
such a manner as will admit of its being removed with the 
most ease, and allow the state of the parts to be examined 
as occasion may require. 

As soon as a bandage has fulfilled the object for which 
it is applied, and has become useless, its employment should 
be discontinued ; for by remaining too long on parts, it may 
obstruct the circulation, diminish the tone of the compressed 
fibres and vessels, and thus do harm. 

Although it is with plasters we bring together the sides 
and parts of a recent wound, and fix them point to point, 
still, it is with a bandage that we support the limb, preserve 
the parts in continued contact with each other, and prevent 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 31 

any strain upon the straps of plaster with which the parts 
are immediately joined ; and we may often unite parts 
with a bandage alone. 

In the case of a bleeding wound, the bandage must be a 
principal mean of stopping blood \ and when a bandage can- 
not be had, a handkerchief or neckcloth is the best substitute. 

In every case which requires a tight-drawn bandage, (as 
in bleeding, for instance,) the bandage should be rolled 
smoothly from the very extremity of the limb, including the 
fingers or toes ; the member must be thoroughly supported 
in all its lower parts, that it may bear the necessary pressure 
above. It is partial stricture alone that does harm, creates 
intolerable pain and anxiety, and brings on mortification. 

In deep-seated ulcers, when the matter is working down- 
wards along the limb, undermining the skin, insinuating 
itself between the muscles, and between the muscles and 
bones ; here a proper use of bandages, with compresses, 
will do every thing. The evil may be stopped at once, 
and after proper cleansing, the parts may be kept in con- 
tact till the whole is healed. — See article Fever -sore. 

In applying a bandage, begin below, and roll upwards, 
supporting the limb by general pressure ; this is repeated, 
because it is all important to support the diseased part with 
a particular pressure. Lay compresses (folds of cloth) 
upon the hollows, and upon the bed of each particular 
lodgment of matter, (this having been previously evacu- 
ated.) It will be necessary, from time to time, to change 
the places of the compresses, so as to favour the escape of 
matter, and the union of the parts where it was lodged. 

In rolling a bandage from the foot to the knee, the sev- 
eral layers or turns should lap one-third. Begin by a 
number of turns round the foot, proceed obliquely over the 
instep, up round the ankle, and down again ; and by pro- 



32 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ceeding upward a second time, you will easily cover those 
parts which were before left naked. As you proceed up 
the swell of the leg, if you find one edge of the roller slack, 
turn the bandage over ; this manoeuvre will tighten the 
loose side, and enable you to proceed as before. The twist 
in the bandage should not be made over the shin-bone, as it 
will then occasion uneasiness, but behind the leg, where it 
will not be felt, and where the wrinkle will be " out of 
sight/' and consequently "out o' mind," of the patient. 

The foregoing general directions should be remembered 
in every case where a bandage is to be applied. 



POISONED WOUNDS, 



BITE OF THE VIPER. 



The poison of the viper is lodged in a little sack at the 
roots of the fangs in its upper jaw, and is pressed out when 
it bites. In about twelve or fifteen hours, an acute pain 
and burning is felt in the wounded part. Swelling, heat, 
tension, and pain spread from the wound, over the limb, 
and sometimes over the whole body; dejection of spirits; 
small, weak pulse ; head-ache, nausea, and vomiting ; a 
fixed pain in the breast ; yellow tinge of the skin ; cold 
sweat, convulsions, and sometimes death. 

Treatment. — The wound should be immediately cut or 
burned out. Let the patient take ten drops of spirits of 
hartshorn every hour; opium, musk, and camphor may be 
given advantageously. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 33 

BITE OF THE RATTLESNAKE, 

Produces nausea ; a full, strong, agitated pulse ; the 
whole body swells, and the eyes are suffused with blood. 
Sometimes bloody sweat ; bleeding from the nose, eyes, 
and ears; the teeth chatter ; interrupted groans. 

Treatment. — Local treatment same as for the bite of the 
viper. A poultice of quick-lime, with oil and honey, is 
said to have been used effectually ; the fresh juice of plan- 
tain is by some considered an antidote. The firing of gun- 
powder on the part. — See several articles among American 
Remedies : Sanguinaria Canadensis, &c. 

BITE OF THE RED ADDER. 
Symptoms the same, though less distressing than of the 
rattlesnake, and the treatment the same. — See American 
Remedies. 

STINGS OF BEES, WASPS, HORNETS, 
And other insects of this country, produce a great deal 
of pain, redness, swelling and heat in the part affected. 

Treatment. — -Lemon-juice, vinegar, No. 1, cold water, 
oil, and hartshorn, are the principal local applications. 

When the patient has been stung in many places, bleed- 
ing, salts, and spare diet ought to be observed, 

BITE OF MAD ANIMALS. 

Of all the poisoned wounds that happen in this country, 
the bite of a mad animal is most dangerous. The hydro- 
phobic poison resides in the saliva of the rabid animal, and 
therefore, when a person is bitten through a boot or clothing, 
the danger is much diminished. A considerable time elapses 
between the bite and the attack of hydrophobia. The dis- 
2* 



84 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ease may be prevented, but is very seldom cured after the 
symptoms appear. 

Hydrophobia. — Melancholy stage. — A dull, heavy pain 
and swelling about the wounded part, although it may have 
healed ; a numbness proceeding up the limb ; patient anx- 
ious and gloomy; sleeps unsoundly, and loves solitude. 

Raving stage, — Horror of water, even the sight or bare 
mention oi which occasions disgust ; every attempt to swal- 
low liquids produces intolerable suffocation and convulsions. 
The patient is unable to swallow his own saliva, and throws 
it out, yet swallows dry things without the least difficulty. 
Excruciating pain, gradually extending to the midriff; con- 
vulsions and pain of the muscles continually augment ; the 
countenance is full of horror ; the eyes wild and furious ; 
still the patient retains his senses to the last. 

Treatment. — In every case where there are strong sus- 
picions that the bite is inflicted by a mad animal, common 
prudence dictates a complete removal of the wounded parts 
by a knife. No man of conscience or discernment would 
neglect to urge in strong terms the use of the knife. 

Wine, camphor, opium, hartshorn, night-shade, sea- 
bathing, mercurial frictions. 

After the attack, opium, in conjunction with the above 
remedies, and in large doses, as in locked-jaw, may smooth 
the road to death, but is never perhaps efficacious enough 
to restore to health. 

In this disease, as well as in many others, the intrusion 
of company is distressing to the patient, whose quiet should 
not be sacrificed to impertinent curiosity, nor to ill-timed 
obsequiousness ; nor yet to the officious teasings of old 
women, either in or out of the practice of medicine. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN* 35 



LOCK-JAW. 

Sometimes this disease arises without any previous injury, 
more especially in warm climates, and near the sea. Robust, 
vigorous, middle-aged men, are more liable than others. 

In the majority of cases, lock-jaw comes in consequence 
of stabs and punctures in tendonous parts, and about the 
ringers and toes, and this frequently when the wound heals 
kindly. 

Symptoms. — The muscles of the lower jaw become con- 
tracted and hard ; at length, the patient cannot open the 
mouth at all. A difficulty of swallowing succeeds, resem- 
bling hydrophobia. The muscles of the neck and back, 
and indeed of the whole body, become successively affected 
with violent spasms. The symptoms are sometimes rapid, 
at others slow in' their progress. If the patient survives 
the fourth day, there is a chance of his recovery. The 
symptoms never recede but by slow degrees. 

Treatment. — The symptoms of lock-jaw are spasmodic, 
and opium in large doses is the principal remedy : at least 
two grains every two hours. If the symptoms abate, the 
opium should not be suddenly relinquished. Half an ounce 
of laudanum in a clyster has sometimes checked the pro- 
gress of the disease. Opiate frictions on the cheeks, temples, 
neck, and back, have been of service. When the perspira- 
tion seems checked, the warm bath, camphor, hartshorn, 
and antimonial wine. 

When there is debility, a liberal use of bark, wine, and 
cold bathing ; but opium is still the grand remedy. Fow- 
ler's Solution has done wonders in this disease, but should 
never be given but by able practitioners. 



36 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



DISLOCATIONS, BROKEN BONES, .See. 



When a bone is moved out of its place or articulation, 
so as to impede its proper functions, it is said to be dislo- 
cated, or out of joint. As this often happens to persons in 
situations where no surgical assistance can be obtained, so 
that loss of limbs, and even life, may be the consequence 
of such accidents, we shall endeavour here to point out 
the method of setting or reducing the most common disloca- 
tions which require immediate assistance. Any person of 
common sense and resolution, who is present when a dislo- 
cation happens, may often be of more service to the patient 
than the most expert surgeon can, after the inflammation 
and swelling have come on. When these are present, it is 
difficult to know the state of the joint, and dangerous to 
attempt a reduction ; and by waiting till they are gone off, 
the muscles become so relaxed, and the cavities so filled up, 
that the bone can never be retained in its place. 

A recent dislocation may generally be reduced by exten- 
sion alone, which must always be greater or less according 
to the strength of the muscles which move the joint, the 
age, robustness, and other circumstances of the patient. 
When the bone has been out of its place for any length of 
time, and a swelling and inflammation has come on, it will 
be necessary to bleed the patient, and after fomenting the 
part, to apply soft poultices with vinegar to it before the 
reduction is attempted. 

After reduction, all that is necessary is to apply cloths 
dipped in vinegar or camphorated spirit, and to keep it per- 
fectly easy. Many bad consequences follow the neglect of 
this rule. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 37 



DISLOCATION OF THE LOWER JAW. 

The lower jaw may be dislocated by yawning, blows, 
falls, chewing hard substances, and the like. It is easily 
known by the patient's inability to shut his mouth, or to 
eat any thing, as the teeth of the under jaw do not corres- 
pond to those of the upper ; besides, the chin is either 
thrown down or toward one side, and the patient is neither 
able to speak distinctly, nor to swallow without considerable 
difficulty. 

This dislocation is commonly reduced thus : Set the 
patient on a low stool, so that an assistant may hold the head 
firm by pressing it against his breast. The operator is then 
to thrust his thumbs (being first secured by wrapping them 
in leather or linen cloth, that they may not slip,) as far 
back into the patient's mouth as he can, while his fingers 
are applied to the jaw externally. After he has got firm 
hold of the jaw, he is to press it firmly downwards and 
backwards, by which means the elapsed heads of the jaw 
may be easily pushed into the sockets. 

DISLOCATION OF THE NECK. 

The neck may be dislocated by falls, violent blows, or the 
like. In this case, if the patient receives no assistance, he 
soon dies, which, makes the people believe that his neck 
was broken. It is, however, for the most part, only partially 
dislocated, and may be reduced by any resolute person. 

When the neck is dislocated, the person is deprived of all 
sense and motion, his neck swells, his countenance appears 
bloated, his chin lies upon his breast, and his face is gener- 
ally turned to one side. 

To reduce this dislocation, the unhappy sufferer should be 
immediately laid upon his back on the ground, and the 
4 



38 HOUSE STTRGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

operator must place himself behind him so as to be able to 
lay hold of his head with both hands, while he makes 
resistance by placing his knees against the patient's shoul- 
ders. In this posture he must pull the head with consid- 
erable force, gently twisting it at the same time, if the face 
be turned to one side, till he perceives that the joints are 
replaced, which may be generally known by the noise 
which the bones make when slipping in, the patient's begin- 
ning to breathe, and the head continuing in its natural 
posture. This is one of those operations which it is more 
easy to perform than describe. Women have happily per- 
formed it. 

After the neck is reduced, the patient should be bled, and 
keep himself quiet for some days till the parts have recov- 
ered their tone. 

DISLOCATION OF THE RIBS. 

The ribs are strongly articulated to the back bone, and 
a dislocation seldom occurs. It does however sometimes 
happen. 

When the ribs are dislocated upwards or downwards, in 
order to replace them, the patient should be laid upon his 
belly on a table, and the operator must endeavour to push 
the bone into its proper place. Should this method not 
succeed, the arm of the disordered side may be suspended 
over a gate or ladder, and while the ribs are thus stretched 
asunder, the bones my be thrust into their sockets. 

A bandage should be rolled round the chest, so that it 
may make gentle and equal pressure, and worn for some 
time. 

DISLOCATION OF THE SHOULDER. 

A dislocation of the upper bone of the arm, more fre- 
quently downwards, sometimes upwards. From the nature 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 39 

of the articulation as well as from its exposed position upon 
the body, this bone is more subject to dislocation, than any 
bone in the body. A dislocation of this bone may be known 
by a depression or cavity on the top of the shoulder, and 
an inability to move the arm ; when the dislocation is down- 
ward or forward, the arm is elongated, and a ball or lump 
is perceived under the arm-pit ; but when it is backward, 
there appears a protuberance behind the shoulder, and the 
arm is thrown forward towards the breast. 

The usual method of reducing dislocations of the shoul- 
der, is to seat the patient on a low stool, and to cause an 
assistant to hold his body so that it may not give way to the 
extension, while another lays hold of the arm a little above 
the elbow, and gradually extends it. The operator then 
puts a napkin under the patient's arm, and causes it to be 
tied round his own neck ; by this, during the extension, he 
lifts up the bone into its place. This is the way described 
in the books. 

The compiler knows a farmer, who set the dislocated 
shoulders of his neighbours in^a country village much more 
ingeniously than most surgeons. With his right hand he 
seized the elbow of the dislocated arm, keeping it bent, 
and gently moving it from the body ; with his left hand he 
crowded a large ball of yarn as far toward the arm-pit as 
was practicable ; then using the arm as a lever, the ball 
of yarn becomes a bait and roller, over which he guided 
the head of the bone into its socket. All this he did without 
assistance, and gratuitously. 

DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW. 

A dislocation of this joint may take place in any direc- 
tion. A protuberance may be felt on that side of the arm 
towards which the bone is pushed, from which, and the 



40 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

patient's inability to move the joint, a dislocation is easily- 
known. 

Treatment. — Extension is to be made upwards and down- 
wards by two assistants, while the operator guides the pro- 
truded bone into its cavity. All this time the arm should 
be half bent, that the joint may be as much relaxed as 
possible. 

DISLOCATION OF THE WRIST AND FINGERS. 

Dislocations of the wrist and fingers, are to be reduced 
by simple extension, and guiding the bones to their proper 
places. 

It is only necessary to look at injured parts, to learn the 
method of relief required; yet strange as it may seem, 
bystanders will remain idle spectators, when a little resolu- 
tion exerted on their part would instantly put all things 
right. In such cases an attempt should be made, a par- 
tial relief is better than none, and the swelling is less, even 
though a surgeon must finally be called. 

DISLOCATION OF THE HIP. 

The bone of the thigh may be dislocated four different 
ways. 

Downward. In this case the leg is lengthened by an 
inch and an half; the knees are forcibly separated from 
each other ; the foot is turned outward. 

The patient is to be laid upon his opposite side, the knee 
bent so that it may form a right angle with the body. The 
right hand of the operator should be placed on the outside 
of the knee, his left hand on the inside of the thigh as high 
as possible. Now, the thigh should be made a lever, the 
right hand a power, the left a bait or opposing power. The 
left hand should raise the head of the bone from its new 
bed, and the right carry it to opposite its socket. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 41 

I have seen a dislocated hip reduced to its place by putting 
the patient astride a saddle and causing the horse to trot. 
If the stirrups of the saddle be buckled short, so as to relax 
the muscles of the limb, the effect of apparatus, position, 
and power, is readily imagined. 

The other three kinds of dislocations distinguished by 
surgeons, require the same treatment, with little variation ; 
a description will only tend to confuse the common reader. 

KNEES, ANKLES, AND TOES. 

Dislocations of these joints are relieved much the same 
way as the joints of the arm, viz. by extension in opposite 
directions, while the operator replaces the bones. In many 
cases, extension alone is sufficient, and the limb will slip 
into its place, merely by exerting sufficient force. 

I would not be understood to suppose that force alone is 
sufficient for the reduction of dislocations. Skill and 
address will often succeed better than force. A dislocation 
of the thigh has been set by one man, after all the force 
that could be exerted by six had proved ineffectual. 

The parts injured by dislocations, require rest, afterward 
easy motion, to enable them to regain their wonted vigor. 

BROKEN BONES. 
There is, in most country villages, some person who 
pretends to the art of setting bones. Though, in general, 
such persons are very ignorant, yet some of them are 
very successful; which evidently proves, that a small 
degree of learning, with a sufficient share of common sense, 
and a mechanical head, will enable a man to be useful in 
this way. We would advise, however, people never to 
employ such persons when a skilful and expert surgeon can 
be had ; but when this is impracticable, they must be 



42 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

employed. We shall therefore recommend the following 
hints to their consideration. 

When a large bone is broken, the patient's diet should, 
in all respects, be the same as in inflammatory fever. His 
body should be kept open by emollient clysters, the food of 
an opening quality, as roasted apples, &c. He should 
keep quiet and cool. In all cases, however, persons who 
have been accustomed to high living may indulge more 
than those who have been more abstemious. Too sudden 
a reduction of living may have fatal effects on the glutton- 
ous, and wine bibbers. There is often a necessity for 
indulging, even in bad habits, those patients who have 
already injured their own constitutions.* 

It will be generally necessary to bleed the patient imme- 
diately after a fracture, especially if he be young, of a full 
habit, or has at the same time received any bruise or 
contusion. When several of the ribs are broken, bleeding 
is peculiarly necessary. 

If any of the large bones which support the body are 
broken, the patient must keep his bed for several weeks. 
It is by no means necessary, however, that he should be 
all that time, as is customary, on his back. This situation 
sinks the spirits, galls and frets the skin, and renders the 
patient very uneasy ; after the second week he may be 
gently raised up, and may set several hours, supported by 
a bed chair, or the like, which will greatly relieve him. 
Great care, however, must be taken in raising him up, and 
laying him down, that he makes no exertion himself, other- 
wise the action of the muscles may pull the bones out of 
place. 

* At least, this is the case while labouring under disease. Yet 
I would by no means be understood to discourage a thorough and 
radical reform, so soon as a tolerable degree of health is restored. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 43 

It is of great importance to keep the patient dry and 
clean while in this situation ; by neglecting this he is often 
so galled and excoriated, that he is forced to keep changing 
his place for ease. 

It is a bad custom to keep the limb for weeks upon the 
stretch. It is uneasy to the patient and unfavourable to the 
cure. The best situation is to keep the limb a little bent. 
This is the posture into which every animal puts itself when 
it goes to rest, and in which fewest muscles are upon the 
stretch . It is easily effected by putting the patient on his side, 
or making the bed so as to favour this position of the limb. 

If the bone upon examination be found shattered in a 
number of pieces, or a large blood vessel is wounded, or 
accompanied with a wound of the soft parts, an experienced 
surgeon should be sent for. 

All that art can do towards the cure of a broken bone, is 
to lay it perfectly straight, and to keep it quite easy. All 
tight bandages do hurt. They had much better be want- 
ing altogether. A great many of the bad consequences 
which succeed to broken bones, are owing to tight bandages. 
This is one of the ways in which excess of art does mis- 
chief. Some of the most sudden cures of broken bones 
which were ever known, happened when no bandages were 
applied at all. Some method, however, must be taken to 
keep the member steady ; but this may be done many ways 
without bracing it with a tight bandage. 

The best method of retention is by two or more splints 
of leather or pasteboard. These, if moistened before they 
are applied, soon assume the shape of the limb, and are 
sufficient, by the assistance of a slight bandage, for all the 
purposes of retention. The twelve or eighteen-tailed ban- 
dage is much easier applied and removed than long rollers, 
and answer all the purposes of retention equally well. 



44 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

The splints should be as long as the limb, with holes cut 
for the ankle if the leg be fractured. 

In fractures of the ribs, where a bandage is not alone 
sufficient, a strap of adhesive plaster will assist in keeping 
the parts in place. 

The patient should keep himself quite easy, and avoid 
any thing which may occasion sneezing, laughing, coughing, 
and the like. 

The most proper external application for a fracture, is a 
mixture of vinegar and water. The bandages should be 
wet frequently with this, if pain or inflammation come on. 

All which has been said above, is taken principally from 
the directions of the English surgeons. I shall now attempt 
to describe the long splint of the French surgeons, with 
my own method of using it — in the 

Dressing of a Broken Leg, 
Take a piece of thin board or clapboard, the width of the 
hand, and of sufficient length to extend from opposite the 
highest part of the hip bone, to a few inches beyond the 
foot. Cut a hole in each end, similar to those seen in a 
Russia shovel or spade. Draw a bandage, or what is better, 
a large silk handkerchief, between the legs by the groin ; 
pass the ends through the hole in the upper end of the 
splint ; turn the ends, so passed through, back without 
crossing, and tie them firmly by the opposite hip. Thus 
the head of the splint becomes immoveably fixed, and will 
not roll. Now wind a second handkerchief round the 
ankle, laying under it bats of cotton or the like, that the 
joint be not fretted ; pass the ends through the hole in the 
lower end of the splint; gradually extend the limb, by 
making the ends of the handkerchief act like a pully over 
the end of the splint. By varying the direction of the ends 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 45 

of the handkerchief, as from inside or outside of the foot, 
the limb may be made to assume a right position as it re- 
spects the body. 

This dressing may be made effectual to prevent the over- 
lapping of the ends of the bone in an oblique fracture ; 
and it may be tightened or loosened at pleasure. Besides, 
the posture of the body may be varied, and the patient be 
allowed to sit up. No tight bandage is needed on or near 
the injured part, nor need the place of the fracture be cov- 
ered at all, except for the purpose of retaining washes. 

In the use of this splint it will be readily seen the limb 
takes its natural shape, even though it be broken in more 
places than one ; and that the splint answers as a substitute 
for the bone, by giving firmness to the member till the bone 
is healed. 

STRAINS, OR SPRAINS. 

Strains are often attended with worse consequences than 
broken bones. The reason is obvious; they are generally 
neglected. When a broken bone is to be healed, the 
patient is compelled to keep quiet, because he cannot do 
otherwise. But when only a joint is strained, the person 
finding he can still make a shift to move it, is sorry to lose 
his time for so trifling an accident. In this way he deceives 
himself, and converts into an incurable evil what might 
have been removed by keeping the part easy for a few 
days. 

Country people generally immerse a strained limb in 
cold water. This is very proper, provided it be done 
immediately, and not continued too long, in which case the 
parts are relaxed, instead of being braced. 

Wrapping a bandage around the strained part is also 
of use. It helps to restore the proper tone of the vessels, 



46 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

and prevents the action of the parts from increasing the 
disease. It should not, however, be applied too tight. But 
what we would recommend, above all, is rest. It is more 
to be depended on than any medicine, and seldom fails to 
remove the complaint. 

A great many external applications are recommended 
for sprains, some of which do good, and others hurt. The 
following are such as may be used with the greatest safety, 
viz. : camphorated spirit, volatile liniment No. 3, common 
fomentations of bitter herbs, with the addition of spirit or 
brandy. 

Previous to other applications, the sprained joint should 
be immersed in warm soap-suds, and rubbed for an hour 
lightly with the balls of the fingers. The evening is the 
best time for this operation. 

GANGLION ; 

OR WEAKENED, OR WEEPING SINEW. 

A ganglion is a small hard tumor, composed of a little 
sac, and containing a fluid resembling the white of an egg. 
It is usually moveable beneath the skin ; its growth is slow, 
seldom larger than a hazle-nut. Its figure is commonly 
smooth, even, and rounded ; it seldom inflames, rarely sup- 
purates, but when it does, it forms an ill-conditioned ulcer. 

They are usually the consequence of sprains or bruises ; 
they adhere by a slender neck to a tendon. 

Treatment. — Binding a piece of lead on ganglions, with 
a bandage, is a good method of dispersing them. Oil ori- 
gan or hartshorn may be rubbed on the weeping sinew. 
They may be cut out by a surgeon. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 47 



DISEASES, 



INTRODUCTION, 



CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT, &c. 

The knowledge of disease does not depend so much on 
scientific principles as many imagine. It is chiefly the 
result of experience and observation. By attending the 
sick, and carefully observing the various occurrences in 
diseases, a great degree of accuracy may be acquired, both 
in distinguishing their symptoms, and in the application of 
medicines. Hence sensible nurses, and other persons who 
wait upon the sick, often discover a disease sooner than 
those who have been bred to physic. We do not, however, 
mean to insinuate that a medical education is of no use ; it 
is doubtless of the greatest importance ; but it can never 
supply the place of observation and experience. 

Every disease may be considered an assemblage of symp- 
toms, and must be distinguished by those which are most 
obvious and permanent. By a due attention to these, the 
investigation of diseases will be found to be less difficult 
than is generally imagined. 

A proper attention to the patient's age, sex, temper of 
mind, constitution, manner of life, and other circumstances, 
will greatly assist in the investigation and cure of diseases. 

In childhood, the fibres are soft and lax, and the nerves 
extremely irritable ; in old age, the fibres are rigid, the 



48 HOTJSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

nerves insensible, and many of the extreme vessels obliter- 
ated. These and other peculiarities render the diseases 
of the young and aged very different, and of course they 
require very different treatment. 

Females are liable to many diseases which do not afflict 
the other sex. Their nervous system is more irritable ; 
they are less able to bear large evacuations ; and much 
more caution is required in administering to them stimu- 
lating medicines. 

Particular constitutions not only dispose persons to pecu- 
liar diseases, but likewise render it necessary to treat those 
diseases in a peculiar manner. A delicate person, with weak 
nerves, who lives mostly within doors, must not be treated 
precisely in the same manner as one who is hardy and 
robust, and who is much exposed to the open air. 

The temper of mind ought to be carefully attended to 
in diseases. Fear, anxiety, and fretfulness, all occasion 
and aggravate diseases. In vain do we apply medicines 
to the body to remove maladies which proceed from the 
mind. When that is affected, the best medicine is to soothe 
the passions, divert the attention, and keep the person as 
easy and cheerful as possible. 

Notice should be taken of the climate. Does the patient 
live in the city or country ? In a high or marshy situation ? 
Is he temperate, or otherwise ? What is his occupation ? 
It would be madness to treat, even under the same disease, 
the enervated shop-keeping citizen the same as you would 
the hardy happy rustic. 

We should inquire, farther, whether the disease be con- 
stitutional or accidental ; whether it has been of long or 
short duration ; whether it proceed from error in diet, or 
manner of life. The state of the patient's body should be 
inquired into ; of the evacuations, &c. ; and likewise 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 40 

whether he can perform with ease all the vital and animal 
functions, as breathing, digestion, &c. 

Lastly, what diseases the patient has before been liable 
to, and what relieved him. 

In the cure of diseases, much may be done by diet alone ; 
many patients think the more drugs they swallow, the better 
they shall do. This makes people trust to drugs, and neglect 
their own endeavours ; besides, it discourages all attempts 
to relieve the sick when medicines cannot be obtained. 

Every disease weakens the digestive powers. The diet 
should be light and easy of digestion. 

Exercise in many cases may be considered as medicine. 
Sailing, or riding on horseback, will be of more service in 
consumptions, scrofula, and nervous affections, than any 
medicine whatever. 

Few things are of more importance than cleanliness. 
Many diseases may be cured by cleanliness alone ; most 
may be mitigated by it ; and in all of them it is highly 
necessary, both for the patient and attendants, 



FEVERS. 



SIMPLE INFLAMMATORY FEVER. 

, Symptoms. — Weariness, anxiety, chills and flushes alter- 
nating, terminating in a violent continued heat ; face flushed, 
eyes and skin red ; pulse frequent, strong, hard, and irregu- 
lar ; great thirst, white tongue, scanty high-coloured urine ; 
exquisite sensibility, hurried breathing, and intolerance of 
the usual impressions ; sometimes delirium. 
3 5 



50 HOUSE SUHGEON AND PHY'SICU^. 

Favourable. — Moisture of the skin, nose-bleed, sores 
around the mouth, diarrhoea, soft pulse. 

Unfavourable. — 'High delirium, high pulse, laborious 
breathing, hiccough, twitehings, involuntary evacuations. 

Distinguished -from Typhus — By full, strong pulse: from 
inflammation of the brain, by there being no delirium at 
the first attack. 

Causes. — Sudden exposure to cold after violent exercise ? 
intemperance; suppressed evacuations; violent passion* 
Most commonly, suppressed perspiration, 

Treatment.-— A quiet, dark room. Bleeding, purging? 
laxative clysters, sweating medicines, salts; senna, manna, 
cream tartar, and rhubarb. — See Clysters and Sweating 
Medicines, Cool air, sprinkling the floor with vinegar and 
water, light bed-clothes, and sitting up. 

Drink of sorrel-tea, barley-water, solution of cream tar- 
tar, tea-spoonful to a tumbler of water, tamarind beverage? 
lemonade, balm-tea. 

If delirium come on, blister the back of the neck ; put 
the feet into warm water. If the strength fail and pulse' 
sink, treat as for Typhus. — See American Remedies. 

INTERMITTENT FEVEK. 

Symptoms.— Cold stage. — Languor, listlessness, yawn- 
ing and stretching ; pulse small, frequent, and irregular ; 
breathing, anxious and short ; the patient feels cold, first 
in the back, then over the whole body ; followed by s 
universal shaking or ague. 

Hot stage, — After the shaking, flushes come on, suc- 
ceeded by a steady high heat; soreness of the flesh ; acute 
sensibility ; pain in the head, and flying pains over the 
whole body ; pulse quick, strong, and hard ; white tongue | 
great thirst ; scanty, high-coloured urine ; costiveness. 



HOUSE STOGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 51 

Sweating stage. — At length a moisture appears, then a 
sweat, first in the face, and proceeding downward to the feet. 
The heat abates ; the pulse becomes slow, full, and free ; 
the bowels move ; the breathing is free ; and all the func- 
tions are restored to their natural standard. 

After an interval of twenty-four, forty-eight, or seventy- 
two hours, the ague and fever returns with nearly the same 
symptoms as before, and this distinguishes intermittent 
from all other fevers, viz. a time between the fit, when the 
patient is free from fever. 

Causes. — Exposure to the vapours arising from stagnant 
waters, after fatigue, or any thing which debilitates ; as poor 
food, fear, anxiety, disappointment. 

Favourable. — When the paroxysms are short, regular, 
and go off clear. 

Unfavourable. — When the paroxysms are long, violent 
with delirium ; or other diseases appear with it. Or when 
convulsions, stupor, hiccough, double vision, prostration of 
strength, vertigo, black tongue appear. 

Treatment. — During the cold stage. Artificial warmth ; 
put the feet in warm water, or warm bath ; warm drinks ; 
cordials ; hartshorn in pennyroyal or hyssop tea ; warm 
tamarind beverage. 

Hot stage. — Cold acidulated drinks. — Continue the reme- 
dies for the cold stage. If stupor come on, apply a blister 
to the nape of the neck. Mustard to the feet. 

In the intermission, just before the fit, an emetic, No. 4. 

Fifty drops of laudanum will sometimes prevent the fit. 
Bark is now the remedy principally depended on for the 
cure of this disease. It should be given in substance. 
After clearing the stomach by an emetic, No. 4 or No. 5. 

An ounce, or nearly that, of fine powder of bark, should 
be taken in eight hours previous to the fit, in divided doses. 



52 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

It may be stirred into wine. An infusion or decoction of 
bark may be taken if the substance will not stay on the 
stomach. No. 6. 

Of this, take a wine glass every hour, the last eight hours 
of the interval before the ague. 

A strong decoction of white-oak bark, or nut-galls, have 
been used as a substitute for Jesuit's bark. 

The crack willow has also been used. Or No. 7, with 
which make twelve pills, to be taken as is directed for the 
doses of bark, in the interval before the fit. 

If there is swelling or soreness in the bowels, under any 
course of treatment, calomel, from one to three grains, 
should be taken every night on going to bed. 

Fowler's solution of arsenic will cure this disease, in 
doses of six drops twice a-day ; but whoever thinks to 
enlarge the dose, should remember it is rat's bane. Yet it 
is a convenient, cheap, and safe remedy, as above directed ; 
and moreover it is very certain to cure. — See American 
Remedies. 

Note. — There is an anomalous state of disease, which attends 
northern-men who have been down the Mississippi, and there worn 
out an ague and fever without medication. They tell us that " two, 
three, or six months ago they had ague and fever, and that the 
agues became less and less, and that finally they missed them 
altogether. Yet that an * Inward Fevef has followed them ever 
since." They have now a dead white, or sallow countenance, 
swelled feet, tumid bowels, a crude or bloody lax, with increas- 
ing emaciation, and in most cases a voracious appetite withal. 

This form of disease comes frequently from the low countries 
of the south, and sometimes from the large islands in the tropics. 

The treatment which has succeeded best in the hands of the 
author, (and that in no small number of cases,) is a full dose of 
calomel and opium at night, superadded to the common treatment 
of Intermittent Fever. Frequently the first harbinger of returning 
health is a sound fit of ague. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 53 

REMITTENT FEVER. 

This fever arises as the intermittent, from marsh vapours 
and from stagnant waters ; although there is evident 
exacerbations or rises, and remissions of fever, still there 
is no interval of time when the patient is completely free 
from fever. The autumnal fevers of this country are com- 
monly of this type, sometimes bilious, at others putrid 
symptoms predominate. 

This fever is most favourable when it approaches in 
form nearly to an intermittent, or is inflammatory. If in 
symptoms it correspond with nervous or typhus fever, the 
danger is to be estimated as in those fevers. 

Treatment — If the disease assume the intermittent form, 
or especially if each rise of fever goes off with a sweat, or 
can be made to, by clearing the stomach and bowels with 
No. 4, or No. 5, followed with sweating medicines; then 
give the bark in the remission, or any of the remedies laid 
down in Intermittent Fever. If there are obstructions in 
the bowels, calomel, as in ague and fever. 

Should it have a tendency to any of the fevers hereafter 
to be described, treat as is directed for that, to which it 
approximates in form and symptoms. 

NERVOUS FEVER. 

Called, also, Slow fever, Long fever, Mild Typhus, Slow 
Typhus, &c. 

Symptoms. — General languor and lassitude, alternate 
chills and flushes, dejection of mind, loss of appetite, con- 
fusion of thought, giddiness, pain in the head, aching pain 
in the back, limbs, and flying over the whole body ; nau- 
sea and vomiting ; short, anxious breathing ; pulse weak, 
quicks often intermitting ; tongue at first white, moist, 



54 HOUSE SURGEON AXD PHYSICIAN. 

covered with slime, border indented with the teeth, after- 
wards dry, brown, and tremulous, little thirst, urine pale, 
low muttering delirium. 

As the disease advances, the heat becomes intense, tongue 
dry, brown, and morbidly red ; delirium with suffused red- 
ness of the eyes ; flushed countenance ; throbbing of the 
arteries of the neck and temples ; urine scanty, high-col- 
oured, and fetid ; sometimes drenching sweats, profuse 
diarrhoea, starting of the tendons, lethargic sleep, involuntary 
evacuations, cold extremities, convulsions, death. Such 
is usually the progress of this disease. Sometimes, however, 
the patient gradually, almost imperceptibly sinks, no threat- 
ening symptoms, no anxiety, no pain, or distress ; yet in 
such cases the arteries are seen to tremble or throb, under 
the chin, and a dark rose or peony-coloured spot appears 
on one of the cheeks, while the limbs are apt to be cold. 

Favourable symptoms. — About the seventh, fourteenth, or 
twenty-first day, the tongue peeling and becoming moist, 
showing a conical point and vigour of motion when put out, 
and quickly retracted; moist skin, gentle diarrhoea, pulse 
becoming slow and full, sores about the mouth and nose. 

Unfavourable. — When no crisis appears on one of the 
above days, all of the symptoms enumerated in the second, 
or advanced stage. 

Causes. — Exposure to a damp cold atmosphere, depress- 
ing passions, fear, grief, anxiety, exhaustion from fatigue, 
more especially in persons of delicate habit, accompanied 
with irritability and sensibility, of sendentary life, of poor 
living and indolence. 

Distinguished from malignant typhus by its attack being 
more gradual, the succession of symptoms being less rapid, 
less urgent. See Malignant Typhus. From inflammatory 
fever by the pulse being quick, weak and feeble. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 55 

Treatment. — An emetic or cathartic should begin the 
treatment, No. 4, or if physic, No. 5 ; after which, sweating, 
with the effervescing mixture, or thorough wort tea; this 
will act as a puke or purge, and bring on sweating. 

After the stomach and bowels are cleared, and a moist- 
ure appears, give tonics, Bark, Virginia snake-root, 
columba, dogwood bark, willow, &c; wine, mineral acids, 
and cordials. 

If delirium, a blister to the nape of the neck, and mus- 
tard to the feet. No. 8. 

This allays irritation, promotes perspiration, and procures 
sleep. After the emetic or carthartic, this powder may be 
used daily, till a uniform moisture appears, and the bark 
can be used. 

If diarrhoea come on, use No. 8 more frequently. If 
the strength decline, it should be maintained by generous 
wine, nutritious diet, cordials, wine whey, jellies, broths, 
eggs, puddings, &c. ; medicine, No. 6, 7, and bitters. The 
opiate powder once in four hours.* 

*Note. — Much has been said on either side the question, whether 
fever can be broken up during its first stages? 

Here we shall not attempt to argue or decide, but simply to give the 
outline of the practice which those adopt who claim it may be done. 

Dr. Jackson, (author on fevers,) during the cold stage, put his 
patient into warm soap-suds, and rubbed him well with a brush or 
sponge; afterward, in the hot stage, before perspiration came on, 
dashed on cold water till the fever heat was gone. 

Dr. Currie, of Liverpool, used water in cold affusion during the 
hot stage, when the heat was steadily above natural, and before a 
moisture appeared on the surface. 

Many physicians of our own country use powerful emetic and 
cathartic remedies at the commencement of fevers. Others excite 
salivation with a view to the breaking up of fever. 



56 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

TYPHUS FEVER, 

Called also malignant, putrid, spotted, and jail fever. 

Symptoms. — The attack is much more sudden than that 
of nervous fever • the strength gone, the horror and anxiety 
beyond expression ; the skin cold, or of burning, acrid, 
almost stinging heat ; the pulse quick, small, sometimes 
halting, at others wiry ; nausea and bilious vomiting ; intense 
pain in the head, ringing in the ears, throbbing in the tem- 
ples, beating of the arteries visible in the neck; fiery red- 
ness of the eyes, furious delirium ; tongue dry, black, and 
encrusted ; breath hot and offensive ; black crusts collect 
on the teeth ; urine at first pale, thin, high-coloured, offen- 
sive, or depositing a black sediment. 

As the disease advances, Bleedings take place from dif- 
ferent parts of the body; red, blue, purple, or black spots 

The foregoing plans have all been published and supported by 
those who believed them practicable. 

It remains to mention a plan adopted with success by an eminent 
practitioner of this state : — It consists in giving, at the commence- 
ment of the disease, say (yet varying the dose as the case may be) 
four-grain doses of calomel, at intervals of four or more hours, 
expecting the medicine slowly to pass the bowels, in the whole 
period of twenty-four hours. When the calomel threatens to pass 
before the system generally has been got under the influence of it, 
opium should be used to stay it for a time. We do not choose to 
salivate, nor would we deny our patients the other customary means. 

It should be further stated, that in case this treatment fails, from 
having been delayed too long, or from some other adverse circum- 
stance, still something is gained ; the disease is more manageable, 
and yields sooner to other remedies than if the plan had been 
neglected. 

It is possible that in a case of fever, the patient may be so pros- 
trated, as that calomel would be inadmissible. — See Spotted Fever, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 57 

appear under, without raising the skin ; involuntary evac- 
uations, extremely offensive ; pulse sinks and intermits ; 
extremities grow cold ; hiccough, convulsions, death. 

Distinguished from all other fevers by symptoms which 
cannot be mistaken. Always dangerous, more especially 
if it proceed to the coming on of the symptoms mentioned 
in the advanced stage. 

Favourable symptoms. — Rising of the pulse ; return of 
sleep and reason ; the spots of a florid colour. 

Treatment. — By the' means laid down in Nervous Fever, 
No. 5, 6, 8, putting the feet in warm water during the ague. 
In short, the same treatment as in Nervous fever, but more 
assiduously applied. 

Sponging the body with warm or cold water, as best suits 
the patient's feelings ; frequent change of bed and linen ; 
sprinkling the room with vinegar and water ; pure air, and 
every attention to cleanliness. Nos. 9 or 10. 

Decoctions of oak bark, Virginia snake-root, cinnamon 
or orange-peel tea, to which may be added elixir vitriol, 
nitric or muriatic acids. 

If bleedings appear, opium and muriatic acid. Through 
the whole, the bowels should be kept soluble by rhubarb, 
cream tartar, calomel, or clysters. 

Light nourishing diet, jellies, broths, &c, as in Nervous 
fever. After the disease has abated, and the patient in a 
fair way of recovery, he should be cautioned not to make 
any sudden exertion of strength, or be suddenly raised to a 
perpendicular posture, which has sometimes proved fatal. 

YELLOW FEVER. 
Many of the symptoms of this fever are common with 
this and the fevers before described. Those in some mea- 
sure peculiar to Yellow fever seem to be, pains in the eye- 



58 house stjsgeon a::d physician. 

balls and lower part of the forehead ; the saliva is viscid ; 
large quantities of frothy bila thrown up by vomiting ; the 
eyes, face, and breast of a deep yellow tinge ; a peculiar 
delirium, with permanent dilatations of the pupils of the 
eyes ; delusive remissions, which promise speedy recovery ; 
soon, however, the disease returns with redoubled violence ; 
the patient suddenly becomes giddy ; loses his sight ; or the 
eyes are much inflamed, watery, protruding, and wildly 
rolling ; anxiety ; vomiting of yellow or black matter ; 
sweats of a yellow colour, and highly offensive ; bleedings ; 
severe pains, more especially in the testicles and calves of 
the legs ; livid spots in the skin ; the patient, in an agony, 
throws out and draws back his extremities in violent succes- 
sion ; black fetid stools; hiccough; sunk pulse; death. 

Such are the usual appearances; yet so irregular and 
so varied is this disease, that the most eminent physicians 
consider it only as a remittent fever ; deranged, as to its 
form, by appearing in subjects unaccustomed to hot cli- 
mates ; so that if all would stay in their native climates, 
this disease would disappear. 

Causes. — Exposure to noxious exhalations from swamps, 
rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes, or the filth of cities and 
towns, accumulated under a burning sun. The poison is 
assisted by an irregular life, intemperance, exhaustion of 
the system, from whatever cause. 

Treatment. — Early in the disease, calomel, so as to clear 
the passages and affect the mouth. No. 12. 

As soon as the bowels are loose, use No. 13 in place of 
No. 12. 

If nausea appear at the commencement, wash out the 
stomach with camomile-flowers, but use no emetic medi- 
cine. Lay on the stomach decoctions of poppy-heads, or 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 59 

tansy cloths. Injections of tansy-tea, and eighty drops of 
laudanum. Saline or effervescing mixture, No. 14. 

For vomiting of black matter, use lime-water and new 
milk every hour, or oftener. Apply early a blister or mus- 
tard-paste over the stomach. 

Affusion and sponging the body with cold water, when 
the heat of the system is steadily above the natural tem- 
perature, may be applied early in the disease. 

After the bowels have become loose, when malignant 
symptoms threaten, the bark may be used in substance or 
decoction. — -See Intermittent Fever. The bark should be 
continued till health is completely restored. 

The patient's strength is to be supported throughout the 
disease with preparations of barley, sago, Indian arrow- 
root, &c, mixed with wine. 

SPOTTED FEVER. 

Perhaps there is no disease which so soon makes the 
tongue to falter, the knees to totter ; locks up the senses? 
alienates the mind ; and, with unconquerable weakness, 
saps the very basis of our life, as Spotted fever. It is not 
confined to any season, and it has not been observed to 
choose any peculiar aspect or atmosphere, but visiting in 
turn the bleak ridge and the banks of the clear stream. 

Though the leading features of this enemy are always 
the same, yet his dress is endlessly varied, 

To enumerate symptoms : — -Some patients are seized with 
violent pains in the stomach, head, joints, limbs ; and fre- 
quently the pain is confined to a single point ; often to a 
single to^or finger. Some have a violent ague and shaking, 
and yet are not sensible of cold ; and some have no heat 
succeed this symptom. Some were taken suddenly totally 
blind or impenetrably deaf; others were not affected at -ill 



60 HOUSE SURGEON A.ND PHYSICIAN. 

in those organs. A palsy of a member was not unfrequent, 
and a strange numbness was felt in the nose and face of 
some, which led them to rubbing their face, and that for 
hours.* Some had raving or furious delirium, others a 
playful or hysteric alienation of mind, while others were 
more shrewd than before. Some were conscious of their 
sinking, yet seemed not to mind it. Some fell into a snor- 
ing, lethargic sleep, from which nothing would rouse them. 
Some were so painfully sensible as to complain of the 
slightest touch or motion, while others felt not the pricks 
of needles, nor yet the contact of living coals. 

The voice was low and melancholy, the countenance 
shrunk, the eyes sparkling or muddy, the breath failing ; 
and the air seemed to withhold from the gasping sufferer 
its invigorating energy. 

The pulse was commonly feeble, frequent, irregular, and 
often interrupted. In some cases it seemed inflated, yet 
would disappear upon the slightest pressure. Sometimes 
when the pulse was gone in the wrist, the arteries of the 
neck would be seen beating with seemingly impatient and 
fretful motion. 

Bleedings were frequent from different parts of the body, 
and often fatal. 

Purple spotsf appeared in some, from oozing of blood 

* This is a symptom which nurses consider as indicative of an 
over-dose of laudanum, and was one among many which appeared 
in Spotted fever, (such as staggering, inarticulation, &c.) and induced 
by-standers to suppose the patient intoxicated with medication; 
when the fact was, no medicine had been given ; and those dread- 
fully-equivocal symptoms never gave way but upon a liberal use 
of powerful stimulants, as laudanum, spirit ether, and cantharides. 

f Nothing could be more absurd than to style this disease Spot- 
ted Fever? merely because purple spots often attended among other 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PEtYSICIAN. 61 

from the relaxed vessels of the true skin, yet without suf- 
ficient force to penetrate or elevate the scarf skin, and spread- 
ing to various sizes, from a point, to that of a shilling ; 
and assuming different hues, from scarlet to black. 

From the onset, a clay-like coldness came over the whole 
system, and all efforts to restore genial warmth were fre- 
quently unavailing. 

The tongue was in some cases clear and moist, in others 
dry, in others bloodless ; in the progress of the disease it 
commonly turned brown or black. 

The swallowing was often difficult, from canker in the 
throat, or from palsy of the parts. 

Nausea and vomiting commonly harassed the patient 
from first to last ; yet the contents of the stomach were not at 
all vitiated. 

The bowels seldom suffered at ail. 

A horrid sensation of cold was felt in the stomach, as if 
ice was melting there ; this symptom, as well as that of 
puking, was greatly aggravated by drinking cold water^ 
or any weak beverage. Patients who inquired for water 
could not distinguish it from brandy. 

It must not be supposed that the whole of the above 
enumerated symptoms appeared in any one case. What 

symptoms. It might as well have been called Blind Fever, or 
Bleeding Fever, or Freezing Fever, as what it is, and perhaps 
better ; because the name Spotted Fever had been forestalled by the 
old English writers, and applied to a regular fever of their time. 
Indeed in this disease there are often no spots nor fever at all, and 
the patient is in many cases dead before fever could form. We 
know fever, strictly speaking, does sometimes follow an attack of 
this disease, and so it does some labours, and riding of a foggy 
night, or sleeping on the damp ground ; yet whoever thought of 
styling the last mentioned states of un comfortableness fever? 



62 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN* 

is put down in this article, is applicable to the more severe 
cases. Like every other disease, however, it sometimes 
occurred in so mild a form as to require very little medi- 
cation. Yet it should not be out of our minds, that many, 
without feeling alarm in themselves, or exciting it in their 
friends, have suddenly and silently sunk into the arms of 
death, and that even while their physicians were beginning 
to investigate their case. 

Treatment. — Now, if we will bring our minds steadily 
up to the work, and calmly look over the above enumera- 
ted appalling symptoms, two considerations, paramount to 
ail others, force themselves upon us ; viz. the immense 
prostration of the vital powers, calling imperiously for sup- 
port of the most prompt, powerful, and durable kinds ; 
and that nothing can be expected from evacuations, as 
the contents of all the cavities* are ab initio uncontamina- 
ted. 

Under this view of the subject, we see what must " decide 
when doctors disagree,"' the case giving laws to the pre- 
scriber, and the symptoms pointing with iron index to the 
only means which can save the patient from sinking, viz. 
cordial stimulating medicine , and nourishing diet. 

The pressure of the disease, and the remaining strength, 
must determine the kind and quantity of means; and the 
range is between going into a warm bed, with drinking 
pennyroyal or peppermint tea ; and hot bath, with brandy, 
laudanum, ether, and cantharides. 

Begin the treatment by putting the patient into a warm 
bed, apply flannels wrung out of hot water, or bladders of 
hot water to the sides and feet of the patient. If the dis- 
ease be more than slight, give to drink hot wine whey, milk 

*By cavities, are meant stomach, bowels, kidneys, bladder, &c. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 63 

punch, or warm wine and water. If obstinate nausea or 
puking attend, give hot brandy, a spoonful at a time, with 
only water enough to keep it from strangling; put a 
blister over the stomach. If lethargic symptoms come on, 
apply blisters round the head, and increase all the stimu- 
lants. 

If warmth and moisture return, and the pulse is raised, 
there is hope ; yet the patient must be kept up, and the 
disease kept at bay, by laudanum in full portions every 
two or three hours, with tincture of cantharides and Fow- 
ler's solution. 

It has before been observed, patients sooner crave and 
bear strong food than in, or after fever. Yet it is possible 
the patient shall have a run of regular fever, after he shall 
have passed this anomalous state of disease. In such a 
case, treat as for Typhus Fever, which see. 

SCARLET FEVER. 

This fever is most commonly inflammatory, but some- 
times, either at its commencement, or in its progress, symp- 
toms of typhus appear. About the fourth day, the face 
swells, and spots of a florid red colour appear, scattered 
through the skin, which at length run together, and after 
three days disappear, the scarfskin peeling off in branny 
scales. In severe cases the nails peel off with the skin. 

It is not unfrequently succeeded by a dropsical swelling 
of the whole body. When the disease has symptoms of 
typhus fever, it appears like malignant quinsy, often the 
same affection of the throat ; when it is to be treated like 
malignant quinsy, or typhus. — See those diseases. 

Scarlet fever is distinguished from measles, by absence 
of cough, sneezing, flow of tears ; the eruption is more 
diffused like a blaze, and not sensible to the touch. 



64 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Treatment, — Keep the bowels loose with calomel and 
rhubarb. 

Cool vegetable acid drinks, lemonade, currants, rasp- 
berries, sorrel tea, No. 4, with snake-bite tea, and No. 8, 
at night. 

Sponging the body with vinegar and water, if agreeable 
to the patient. Sprinkle the room with vinegar and water. 

Beverage of muriatic acid, or elixir vitriol. 

If delirium or stupor come on, blister between the shoul- 
ders. If soreness of the mouth and throat, with difficulty 
of swallowing, gargles of oak bark tea, sweetened with 
honey; add muriatic acid, as in quinsy. 

At the decline of the eruption, bitters, bark and wine, 
and nutritious diet. No. 11. 

PERIPNEUMONY, OR LUNG FEVER. 

This disease has, seemingly, for a number of years, in 
New England, taken the place of Pleurisy. 

It differs from pleurisy, in the pains being less acute, 
and more steady ; a greater sense of oppression and weight 
all around the chest ; the face is flushed, sometimes almost 
purple; pulse not hard, but quick. Bleeding is inadmissi- 
ble, and so is tartar emetic. ' 

Thorough wort tea has been much used ; take a table- 
spoonful every half hour, till it sweats, or pukes, or purges. 

Blisters, if they produce stoppage of urine, it is a good 
symptom; squills, fomentations, injections, all will come in 
for a place. A stoppage of urine from a blister, is cured 
by gum Arabic, drank freely ; or, infusion of marsh mal- 
lows, asparagus or parsley roots, &c. 

For sweating in the first stage of the complaint, No. 8, 
with hoarhound tea. In the second stage, after the patient 
raises matter from the lungs streaked with blood, (a good 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 65 

symptom,) use No. 9 or 10. Oxymel squills, with warm 
tea. 

If the strength fails, wine whey, with hartshorn in it, 
warm broths. Bark No. 11, nourishing diet, cordials. 
For obstructions in the lungs, No. 17. 

Note. — What is said of the calomel practice, in Note after Ner- 
vous Fever, is applicable to this disease. 

Slight cases of Lung Fever are not difficult of cure, yet it some- 
times appears with symptoms, which bid defiance to all common 
means. A mottled skin, a cadaverous smell, and the skin, to the 
examiner, feeling like that of negro's, flabby, or rather like one 
that is dead, but not quite cold. 

This disease, (and so do some others,) sometimes lurks in a most 
fatal form under a semblance of health, i. e. the symptoms are, if 
I may so speak, morbidly natural. For instance, the patient does 
not complain ; is absent ; is obstinate, either in doing things of lit- 
tle consequence in themselves, but hurtful to a sick man, or neg- 
lectful of customary duties which he might do as well as not. Ask 
the patient if he is better ? he says yes ; if he is worse ? he says no. 
Circumstances calculated to interest him, are either not regarded, 
or they produce a disproportionate effect. He smiles and frowns, 
and moves and stops, when you do not expect him to. A train of 
such like symptoms are discoverable, yet will be overlooked by a 
careless observer. 

I would only observe farther, that the eye in such cases is either 
glassy, the pupil is muddy, or spreading unequally and indis- 
tinctly; the eye is never natural. 

PLEURISY. 

Symptoms of inflammatory fever, accompanied with a 
sense of weight in the chest, which in a short time becomes 
acute pain shooting into the side, thence to the breast bone, 
or through to the shoulder blade. Breathing difficult, and 
increases the pain. The patient cannot lie on the affected 



66 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

side ; cough ; frequent, hard, contracted pulse, vibrating 
under the finger like the tense string of a musical instru- 
ment ; white tongue ; high-coloured urine ; and indeed all 
the symptoms of inflammatory fever. 

Caused most frequently by exposure to vicissitudes of 
temperature ; violent exercise of body, or exertions of the 
voice. 

Treatment. — Copious bleeding from the arm, according 
to symptoms. Fomentations to the sides. 

Brisk purges at the commencement, of calomel 10, jalap 
15 grains ; purging medicines to be laid aside after the 
patient raises freely. Sweating with 
R. Tartar emetic 2 grains, 

Sage tea, 10 spoonfuls. Mix. 

A spoonful of this, or a tea-spoonful of No. 16, may 
be taken any hour till a sweat breaks out. 

Apply a large blister over the pained side. Drink freely 
of hoarhound or catnip tea ; oxymel of squills, or blood root 
will help to raise from the lungs ; or make free use of teas 
of flax-seed, rye bran, cat-tail-flag-root, bass-wood bark, &c. 

The diet in all inflammatory diseases, should be gruels, 
wheys, mucilaginous roots, plants, &c. 

FEVER SORE. 

Inflammation and ulceration of a bone. 

First stage. — A peculiar obtuse, deep-seated, aching pain, 
extremely distressing to the patient, and soon afTecting the 
health to a remarkable degree. At length the part swells, 
and a tumor forms, possessing great hardness ; the skin be- 
comes red and extremely tender; there is an increase of 
heat, and other symptons of inflammation. 

Treatment. — Use in this stage blisters, fomentations, allay 
pain with opium ; after the pain subsides, mercurial fric- 
tions, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 67 

Second stage. — The symptoms of inflammation before 
enumerated ; the preceding pain has usually been exceed- 
ingly severe and constant, and attended with great consti- 
tutional irritation, quick hard pulse, white tongue ; the parts 
become swelled and inflamed ; the patient is attacked with 
severe agues ; and an undulation is perceptible within the 
tumour ; ulceration takes place, and a thin acid matter is 
discharged ; when, by an examination with a probe, a 
cavity can be traced leading to, if not into, the bone. The 
progress of the formation of matter is sometimes extremely 
slow, at others the tumour soon has signs of the fluctuation 
of matter. 

Treatment. — If the means prescribed in the treatment of 
the first stage fail, the whole should be laid open by a free 
incision. This must be performed by a surgeon. After 
the operation, use tincture of myrrh, as an injection, and 
treat it as laid down for ulcers. 

Injections first of soap in water, then with a solution of 
corrosive sublimate, a full, compress, and thorough band- 
age will commonly succeed in healing the abscess ; if there 
is a tendency to such affections, insert an issue. — But all 
this a surgeon must direct.— See article Bandage. 



68 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



INFLAMMATIONS, 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 

Character. — Increased heat and redness, swelling, pain 
and tension. 

Two Species. 

I. Phlegmonous, the swelling forms a cake well defined. 

II. Erysipelas, which see. 

Symptoms of the first species, or Healthy Inflammation. — 
Itching and dryness of the part, succeeded by increased heat 
and circumscribed swelling ; redness and increased circu- 
lation of the blood ; shooting and throbbing pains. 

If the inflammation runs high, and be of considerable 
extent, an increased action of the heart and arteries takes 
place ; the pulse becomes full, strong, and hard, somewhat 
quickened; the skin is dry and hot; great thirst arises; 
the tongue is white ; the urine is high-coloured ; and the 
blood, when drawn from a vein, shows a glutinous buff- 
coloured scum on its surface. This is Sympathetic, or 
Inflammatory fever. 

Causes. — Cold, wounds, compression, or any thing which 
irritates the part. 

Favourable symptoms. — Absence of the above-described 
fever ; the swelling becoming more circumscribed, pointing 
out and soft in the centre. 

Unfavourable symptoms. — Violent fever, with delirium; 
sinking o^ the pulse ; blisters forming, which discharge a 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 69 

thin ichorous matter ; the part becoming of a livid colour, 
and losing its sensibility. — See Mortification. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause, if it continue to operate ; 
apply leeches ; lay upon the part cloths kept constantly wet 
with mineral water, No. 1, or No. 18. 

Saline purges of Epsom or Glaub. salts, or sulphur and 
cream tartar. If the symptoms run high, bleed, and give 
sweating medicines, antimonial wine, &c. Warm emollient 
poultices, if it will suppurate. Poultices should never be 
suffered to get cold or dry, but be often renewed. — See 
Suppuration. 

The generality of cases of inflammation undoubtedly 
receive most relief from the use of cold astringent lotions ; 
but there are constitutions and parts which derive most 
benefit from the application of warm emollient remedies. 
The eyes, and parts about the face, and the private parts, 
when labouring under acute inflammation — also, boils, car- 
buncles, gun-shot wounds, and swellings which rise in the 
course of fevers — more frequently require emollients, as 
fomentations and poultices, though not always. The great- 
est surgeons are frequently compelled to change their 
applications, and it would be folly here to give precise 
rules; the patient's feelings should be consulted. Hence, 
in all cases in which the first kind of topical applications 
seem not to produce the wonted degree of relief, let the 
second sort be tried. From the opportunity of comparison, 
a right judgment may then be easily formed. Fomenta- 
tions are only temporary applications, while emollient poul- 
tices must be permanent ones. 

Fomentations are best made of infusion or decoction of 
bitter herbs, hops, tansy, poppies, lettuce ; and for a poul- 
tice, stir flax-seed meal into the liquid part of the fomenta- 
tion till a proper consistence is obtained. 



70 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 

Symptoms. — Horror ; the face becomes flushed and turgid ; 
the eyes stare as if starting from their sockets ; furious deli- 
rium i tears sometimes burst from the eyes ; sometimes 
sweating at every pore ; skin dry and hot ; parched tongue, 
at first fiery red, then white, yellow, or black ; hard, rapid 
pulse. If the disease is not soon removed, stupor, insensi- 
bility, a great failure of the strength. 

Causes. — Exposure to heat, vertical sun ; violent passion ; 
intense thought; intemperance. 

Distinguished from madness by its being attended with 
fever ; from simple fever, by the delirium appearing as a 
first symptom ; from typhus, by the pulse being hard and 
rapid. 

Treatment. — By a copious and sudden evacuation of 
blood from the arm or temporal artery. Application of 
leeches to the temples. Putting the feet and legs into warm 
water, and pouring vinegar and water on the head, previ- 
ously shaved. Blisters to the head, neck, and legs. Quiet 
room, secluded from light and sound. Give no food during 
the inflammatory stage, except barley-water, gruels, arrow- 
root, &c. Purging salts, strong doses of calomel, No. 5. 
Sweating, with cream tartar and effervescing mixture, No. 
14, often repeated, or No. 19. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 

Fever, anxiety, heat and pain in the region of the stom- 
ach, increased when any thing is swallowed ; aggravated 
by pressure on the stomach ; vomiting ; hiccough ; pulse 
hard and small ; great prostration of strength. Send for a 
physician. 

Treatment. — Bleeding ; warm bath, long continued ; fo- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 71 

mentations to the belly, constantly applied ; blisters to the 
part. Large emollient clysters. Small quantities of flax- 
seed tea ; barley-water, or gum Arabic and water. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 

Acute pain in the belly, increased by pressure, and 
shooting and twisting round the navel ; obstinate costive- 
ness ; belly tense ; frequent inclination to stool ; vomiting 
bilious, dark, and fetid matter. Fever ; pulse quick, hard, 
and contracted ; great prostration of strength ; high-colour- 
ed urine. A terrible disease. 

Distinguished from colic, by the pain in colic being 
relieved by pressure ; absence of fever in colic, and the 
pulse is not affected. 

Treatment. — Bleeding, warm bath, and fomentations con- 
tinually applied and changed ; purges of calomel, followed 
by oil ; large clysters. Send for a physician without loss 
of time. 

A slight inflammation sometimes takes place around the 
belly, with mild fever in the morning ; bowels a little cos- 
tive ; strength a little diminished. Caused by exposure of 
the lower extremities to water in windy weather. Cured 
by large blisters, where the pain is most severe, and purges 
of calomel, salts, cream tartar, or rhubarb. 

This disease has proved fatal by neglect, yet blisters and 
the other remedies are sufficient to the cure. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER. 

Tension and pain near the short ribs of the right side, 
more or less acute, shooting to the top of the shoulder, 
and through to the shoulder blade ; increased by lying on 
the left side ; fever, dry cough, sallow countenance, high- 
coloured urine ; sometimes hiccough and vomiting. 



72 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN, 

Causes. — Violent emetics, hot climates, violent passions, 
intemperance, and all the causes of inflammation. 

Treatment. — Bleeding ; cupping ; blisters, large and re- 
peated. Purges, especially of calomel, No. 5, or No. 12. 

Dress the blisters with mercurial ointment. 

If the disease become chronic, pills of calomel and opium, 
so as not to affect the mouth, No. 13. 

A continued course of bitters and laxatives, as dandelion, 
Frazeri, gentian, columba and quassia, soda. A beverage 
of nitric acid should be used with calomel, or alternating 
with it. Remove to a cold climate. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEY. 

Fever ; pain in the loins, shooting to the bladder ; draw- 
ing up of the testicle, numbness of the thigh ; high-coloured 
urine ; vomiting, costiveness, and colic pains. 

Treatment. — 'Bleeding ; applying leeches to the loins ; 
cupping ; salts ; castor oil ; senna ; manna ; cream tartar ; 
emollient clysters. Blisters are inadmissible. 

Mucilaginous drinks : sassafras twigs, dandelion, mal- 
lows, flax-seed, and nitre. Warm bath fomentation, with 
camphor or spirit ; opiate clysters. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 

Fever ; acute pain in the region of the lower belly ; sore- 
ness and pain increased by pressure ; painful discharge of 
urine ; frequent inclination to stool ; vomiting. 

Treatment. — Same as in inflammation of the kidneys. 
In both diseases may be used winter-green, sassafras, vio- 
lets, peach-tree gum. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR, 
Is, for the most part, a local disease, without fever ; but 
in some instances, the sufferings of the patient are very 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 73 

greut, and the disease assumes a formidable appearance, as 
stupor, delirium, fever, convulsions, and soon a fatal termi- 
nation has been the consequence. 

Pain and inflammation of the ear may be produced by- 
Che causes of other inflammations, but none more readily 
than partial exposure to cold. 

Treatment. — If there is no fever, apply a blister behind 
the ear, and warmth to the part ; leeches, mullen leaves in 
warm milk and water, cathartics, salts, No. 5. Sweating, 
with No. 8, and balm-tea, When the pain is over the 
whole head, with fever, delirium, stupor, and other urgent 
symptoms, use the remedies laid down for inflammation of 
the brain, excepting the cold local applications. If it will 
suppurate, fomentations and poultices of hops and poppies. 

QUINSY. 

Inflammation of the almonds of the ears and throat. 

Symptoms. — Chills and flushes succeeding each other, 
and terminating in the hot stage of an inflammatory fever. 
Swelling of the palate and almonds of the ears ; swallow- 
ing becomes painful and difficult ; voice hoarse or lost ; 
shooting pains through the throat and almonds of the ears ; 
frequent slimy spitting, Sometimes dangerous, and indeed 
fatal. 

Causes. — Cold applied to the neck, damp linen, wet feet, 
damp rooms, hallooing, blowing wind-instruments, &c. 

Treatment.— The timely exhibition of an emetic will fre- 
quently check the formation of the disease. No. 4, in divided 
doses. Bleed, if the pulse is high ; cupping ; leeches. 
Blisters to the throat, or nape of the neck. A flannel, dip- 
ped previously in volatile liniment, No. 3, and wrapped 
round the neck. 

Purging with salts. Nitre, a few grams, rubbed with 
4 7 



7,1 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

loaf-sugar, and slowly dissolved on the tongue, and swal- 
lowed. Sweating with saline mixture, No. 14, No. 19. 
Inhaling steams of water and vinegar, and camphor. 

Gargles of sage or rose tea^ sweetened with honey and 
acidulated with muriatic acid. 

If it will go on to suppuration, poultice with hops and flax- 
seed. If there is danger of suffocation, the swelling may 
be opened at any stage, with safety, by a s-urgecn. 

MALIGNANT QUINSY. 

This disease is a kind of ulcerous sore throat, attended 
with typhus fever and quick pulse; and requires the treat- 
ment of typhus, with the addition of gargles, frequently 
used. No. 20. Nos. 9 and 1 1 alternately every two hours, 
Call a physician. — See American Remedies. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Chills, followed by heat and fever, with hard, full, and 
quick pulse \ obstinate costiveness. After one, two, or three 
days, tumour and pain, with inflammation, attack one or 
more of the large joints, and they become extremely tender 
to the touch. Tongue white ; urine high-coloured ; some- 
time profuse sweating, without relief. 

In rheumatism, the pain shoots along the courses of the 
muscles, and often changes its seat. 

Rheumatism often runs into a chronic state, i. e. the fever 
abates, and the pain or soreness continue. Sometimes 
chronic rheumatism is not preceded by the acute. 

Causes.— Obstructed perspiration, damp rooms, damp 
linen, exposure to cold after exercise. 

Treatment. — Bleed with caution ; cupping and leeches ; 
purging with calomel, oil, salts, rhubarb and cream tartar; 
sweating • Nos, 8, 14 ; pennyroyal tea. Foxglove, cieuta, 



HOUSE STOGEON AND PHYSICIAN- 75 

calomel, and opium, may be given by medical prescription. 
Fomentations with bitter herbs and poppy-heads. After the 
fever abates, bark, wine, guaiacum. 

In chronic rheumatism, cupping, blisters, No. 13, vola- 
tile tincture of guaiac, hartshorn, spirits turpentinf, mus- 
tard, blisters, sarsaparilla. Above all, blisters, frictions, 
patience, and flannel; queen of the meadows, white-wood- 
i v oot bark, prickly ash, thorough wort. — See Colic, 

GOUT.* 

Pain in the joints, chiefly in the great toe, hands, feet, 
and small joints, returning at intervals. Previous to the 
attack, the functions of the stomach are much disturbed, 
w T ith dejection of spirits ; coldness and numbness of the 
extremities, cramps, &c. ; succeeded by horror, rigours, 
and fear. The attack comes on about midnight, subsides 
next evening, the patient falls asleep, and awakes with 
swollen limbs, but apparently comfortable till in the night, 
when his distress returns, but goes off in the morning. 
The pain during the paroxysm imitates almost every species 

* Gout seems to have been common in Old England, during the 
earliest ages of barbarism. It is frequently noticed by the Anglo- 
Saxon historians, and was called fot-adl, or foot-ail. 

The following prescription was regarded as a specific by the 
ancients; and will be considered as a curiosity by the reader: 
"Take the herb datulus ortitulosa, which we call greata cranleak, 
(a species of iris, or flag-flower.) Take the heads of it, and dry 
them very much, and take thereof a pennyweight and an half-, 
and the pear-tree and Roman bark, and cummin, and a fourth- 
part of laurel-berries; and of the other herbs half a pennyweight 
each, and six pepper-corns, and grind all to dust; and put two 
egg-shells full of wine. This is the true leech-craft. Give it to 
the man to drink, till he be well." 



76 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN*. 

of torture. This is regular gout, for which much may be 
done to very little purpose. Lamb-skin slippers and gloves, 
with the wool turned inward ; regular life and abstemious- 
ness after the fit is over, 

ATONIC GOUT, 

Is when, in a gouty patient, there are all the symptoms, 
except the pain and inflammation in the joints, viz. : nausea, 
vomiting, palpitation of the heart, giddiness, low spirits, and 
other nervous affections. 

Treatment. — -Avoiding all the causes of debility, moderate 
exercise, animal food, good wine, bitters, wearing flannel, 
blisters on the extremities. 

EETROCEDENT GOUT, 

Is where, after the inflammation has appeared on the 
limbs, it suddenly leaves them, and attacks some interna) 
part, as the stomach, lungs, &c, occasioning vomiting, pain 
and sickness, spasms ; or the heart, occasioning faintings ; 
or the head, occasioning apoplexy, palsy, &c. 

Treatment. — If the stomach be the suffering part, which 
is commonly the case, liberal use of warm brandy and water, 
or wine and aromatics, castor, hartshorn, fetida, camphor, 
blisters and mustard to the extremities. 

MISPLACED GOUT, 

Is when the inflammation first, instead of the great toe, 
takes hold of some vital part, as the lungs, heart, stomach, 
&c. For which, in strong constitutions, treat as for Pleu- 
risy; in weak ones, as for Retrocedent Gout. 

ERYSIPELAS. 
Character. — The swelling diffused, of a bright scarlet 
colour, tinged with yellow, not very prominent. Erysipelas 
is prone to spread rapidly to a great extent ; the swelling 



HOUSE SUHGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 77 

is neither so hard, so elevated, nor so prominent as that of 
common inflammation ; when pressed with the finger, the 
colour leaves the skin, but soon returns. The pain is of a 
burning, itching kind. Sometimes this disease in its course 
changes its seat entirely, leaving one part for another. Fre- 
quently little blisters arise, (called St. Anthony's fire,) not 
dangerous, if other symptoms are mild. 

Favourable symptoms. — Absence of fever, or, if present, 
assuming the inflammatory form, bright red colour, strength 
little diminished. 

Unfavourable. — Appearing in the face ; colour of a dark 
red, or brown, or livid ; inflammation rapidly extending ; 
pulse small, hard, rapid ; brown tongue ; stupor, delirium, 
flabby swelling, livid blisters. 

Termination. — As the disease abates, the skin peels off 
in branny scales; this is to be wished. Suppuration is to 
be dreaded, and mortification still more. 

Causes. — This form of disease is apt to take the place 
of healthy inflammation, in weak, irritable habits, and in 
worn-out constitutions. 

Treatment. — If the fever be inflammatory, and the swell- 
ing hard, wash the part with mineral water No. 1. If blis- 
ters arise, or the skin is livid, use flour or starch, sifted in 
cotton. Never apply a poultice in Erysipelas. 

In severe Erysipelas, evacuations are indispensable ; for 
it is usually connected with derangement of the biliary 
secretions. Cream tartar, Glaub. salts, senna, manna, cal- 
omel. If the patient have a foul tongue, a bitter taste in 
the mouth, and a propensity to vomit, an emetic is proper. 
After full evacuations, and the pulse becomes soft, or there 
is a change to a purple colour, bark, wine, and nourishing 
diet are necessary. — When Erysipelas spreads from a 
wound, local applications are necessary, and their usa 



78 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

should be regulated by the rules laid down in common 
inflammation ; the warm emollients commonly do best, not 
always ; weak warm mineral water is often an excellent 
application, or spirit and water, with the part covered or 
not, as feels best to the patient. 

SUPPURATION; 

OR, PROCESS OF THE FORMATION OF MATTER, CALLED "PUS." 

During the progress of inflammation, a suppuration is 
known to have taken place by the following symptoms : 

Chills, sense of weight, and stinging pain in the part ; 
a pointing out of the swelling, and soft fluctuation felt in 
the centre. 

If the means prescribed for healthy inflammation fail to 
disperse the swelling, and it is thought best to hasten sup- 
puration, use a poultice of bread and milk, or linseed meal, 
or if the pain is severe, a decoction of poppy leaves or heads, 
or lettuce, either as a fomentation or poultice, or hops may 
be used. Never suffer a poultice to get cold on the part. 

Should suppuration proceed too slow, it may be hastened 
by hot fomentations to the part ; and by bark, wine, and 
nourishing food. 

If you have patience, you may wait for the spontaneous 
bursting of the swelling ; or you may open it with a lancet 
or any instrument which will not injure subjacent parts. 

Good pus is of the consistence and colour of cream, with- 
out smell, and little, if any, taste ; it will commonly sink in 
water, and does not readily unite with water, unless the 
water be heated. 

If a hardness remain after opening, a poultice may be 
applied, lint being first placed in the orifice, to prevent the 
growth of proud-flesh ; as soon as the cake disappears, the 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 79 

poultice should be discontinued, and the abscess treated as 
a common ulcer. — See Ulcers. 

MORTIFICATION. 

Symptoms. — If it supervene on inflammation, an exces- 
sive, acute, and constant pain ; great anxiety? often delirium, 
followed by a sudden cessation of all inflammatory symp- 
toms. The part before tense, now becomes flaccid, of a 
livid colour, losing its heat and sensibility. Blisters are 
formed, under which appear brown spots. The parts soon 
become black, and acquire a fetid smell. 

If the event prove favourable, the mortified portion is 
completely surrounded by a white line, about which pus 
(matter) is formed. The dead part now loosens, and sloughs 
out, leaving a suppurating ulcer. 

If, on the contrary, the termination be fatal, the mortifica- 
tion rapidly extends ; great constitutional irritation arises ; 
the pulse becomes small, rapid, and irregular; there is a 
fixed flush on the countenance, with great anxiety and pros- 
tration of strength, and death soon ensues. 

Mortification is sometimes produced without previous 
inflammation, by blood-vessels being choked by pressure, 
by long-continued cold, by long-continued pressure, violent 
bruises, &c. 

Treatment. — Liberal use of bark, wine, nourishing diet, 
opium, and cordials. 

Local Applications. — Fomentations of oak bark, spirit of 
turpentine, or wash the part with No. 2, or a wash of nitric 
acid, one drachm to a pint of water. Fermenting poultice, 
made with yeast and oatmeal or bran ; common bread and 
milk poultice, with powdered charcoal in it. After the 
sloughing, or separation of the dead parts, treat it as an 
ulcer. — See Ulcers. 



80 house surge j:c and physician. 

In the mortification of the toes and feet of old people, 
nothing is of service but opium, bark, and wine. This 
disease begins at the ends of the toes : first a blister rises, 
from which mortification spreads up the limb. 



MARASMUS. 



PURGATIVE MEDICINES. 

The following is taken from a work of Doctor James 
Hamilton, of Edinburgh ; from which, if attentively read, a 
better idea will be gained of that wasting disease of chil- 
jdren, which is usually ascribed to worms as a cause, than 
from any thing which I oan offer on that interesting subject. 

Observations on the utility and administration of purgative 
medicines in the Marasmus which appears in childhood and 
early youth. 

I comprehend under the general title, marasmus, a variety 
of symptoms which affect the young of both sexes. 

A sluggishness, lassitude on slight exertion, depravity 
and loss of appetite, wasting of the muscular flesh, fullness 
of the features, and paleness of the countenance, swelling 
of the abdomen, an irregular and generally a costive state 
of the bowels, a change in the colour and odour of the 
feces, fetid breath, swelling of the upper lip, and itching 
of the nose, mark the beginning of the disease. 

When these symptoms have continued for some tirxie^they 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN, 81 

are followed by alternate paleness and flushings of the 
countenance, heat and dryness of the skin, feeble and quick 
pulse, thirst, fretfulness, increasing debility and disturbed 
sleep, during which the patients grind or gnash their teeth, 
and are subject to involuntary starting, and twitching of 
different muscles. 

Every case of marasmus does not necessarily include 
all the symptoms which I have enumerated. Different, 
combinations of them give a variety of the disease, which 
is, however, in general, readily known and distinguished. 

Marasmus appears most commonly among weak and 
infirm children, whether they are so from delicacy of con- 
stitution, or from incidental causes. It is particularly 
prevalent in large and populous cities, where children are 
deprived of ready access to exercise in pure air, and sick- 
en and pine in the nursery ; or when they are confined in 
crowded and airless school-rooms, whither they are sent, 
partly for the purpose of education, and partly, to use a 
common phrase, with a view of being kept out of harm's 
way. Children, also, who are employed in manufactories, 
where their occupation and confinement are such as to 
weaken and enervate them, are liable to be attacked with 
this disease. Irregularity in diet and improper food, also 
give rise to marasmus. We accordingly observe it to pre- 
vail most commonly in autumn, the season which affords 
opportunity for eating unripe fruit and vegetable articles 
from the garden. 

In proof of the operation of these causes, I remark, that 
I have held the office of Physician to George Herriot's 
Hospital for two and thirty years. During this long period, 
I scarcely recollect an instance of this marasmus among 
the children entertained in that institution. This may be 
attributed to the healthy site of the building ; to the clean- 
4* 



82 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

liness and free ventilation of every part of it ; to the 
wholesome, nourishing food of the children, and to their 
exposure to pure air while enjoying their infant sports. 

Marasmus has been generally attributed to the presence 
of worms in the alimentary canal. This supposition, 
however, is questionable. Ascarides, (Pm worms.) Teniae, 
(Tape worms,) and Lumbrici, (Long round worms,) are the 
worms most commonly found in the human intestines. 

Ascarides, which are often passed in great numbers by 
children when at stool, are not accompanied by the symp- 
toms of marasmus. Except an itching about the anus, 
they give little other uneasiness. 

The teniae or tape worm, the presence of which is known 
by peculiar symptoms, which are the source of much 
suffering in after periods of life, is altogether unknown in 
infancy and childhood. 

The lumbricus, or round worm, therefore, must be the 
generally supposed cause of the symptoms of marasmus. 
Medical gentlemen, who have practised in tropical climates, 
speak much of the lumbricus, and mention the number of 
them that is occasionally passed to be very great. There 
may be something in the climate, soil, or state of the air 
of these regions ; in the mode of life or constitution of the 
inhabitants, with which w r e are unacquainted, which may 
account for this circumstance. But in our cooler latitudes, 
no such instances of numerous lumbrici have been noticed. 
On the contrary, after the best directed course of anthel- 
mintic (tcorm destroying) medicines, when the symptoms of 
the disease are going off, no lumbrici have been seen, 
unless we admit that the worms, destroyed by the efficacy 
of the medicines, constitute the unnatural and fetid feces 
which, in such instances, are voided in great abundance. 
This admission, however, is not to be readily granted ; 



HOUSE SURGSOxN AND PHYSICIAN. 83 

for similar feces are passed upon the exhibition of an early- 
purgative, and before any specific vermifuge (worm de- 
stroyer,) is employed. 

Farther, the presence of lumbrici in the bowels is by no 
means an uniform cause of bad health. They have been 
known to exist in the intestinal canal without any disease 
ensuing. These instances are not rare, and are not con* 
fined to childhood. They militate against the received 
opinion, that lumbrici, within the intestines, are the cause 
of marasmus ; for if they are so in a single case, they 
should be so in every one. 

This opinion, however, that worms exist, and exert a 
baneful influence in the intestines, has been so prevalent for 
ages, that a great many anthelmintic medicines, some pecu- 
liar to the nursery, others to the regular practitioner, have 
been mentioned and extolled. Of these, some have been 
considered as specific poison to the insect, and others are 
conceived to destroy it by mechanical triture. Most of 
them have had their partisans for the day, and have passed 
in succession through the ordeal of experience into oblivion. 
The utility of such anthelmintics as have been found to be 
most beneficial, has, in my opinion, been in proportion to the 
purgative powers which they possessed. 

When I consider the languor and lassitude which pre- 
cede this marasmus ; when I recollect the constitutional or 
acquired debility of those who are more particularly exposed 
to be affected by it, instead of adopting the common opinion, 
of its being occasioned by worms, I am more disposed to 
think, that a torpid state, or weakened action of the alimentary 
canal, is the immediate cause of the disease ; whence pro- 
ceed costiveness, distention of the bowels, and a peculiar 
irritation, -the consequence of femora of the feces. I have 
accordingly been long in the habit of employing purgative 



84 HOUSE SUTtGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

medicines for the cure of this marasmus ; the object is, to 
remove indurated and fetid feces, (matter passed at stools^) 
the accumulation perhaps of months ; and as this object is 
accomplishing, the gradual return of appetite and vigour 
mark the progress of recovery. 

The history of the disease, from the first indisposition to 
the appearance of more urgent symptoms, disposes me to 
consider it as consisting of two stages or periods; the 
incipient, and the confirmed. The first period commences 
with the disease, and continues to the accession of the febrile 
(feverish) symptoms. These usher in the confirmed stage, 
which continues to the end. This is not a frivolous remark \ 
it is of use in practice. 

In the incipient stage, the bowels are not altogether tor* 
pid and inactive, neither are they overloaded with accumu- 
lated feces. Mild purgatives, therefore, repeated at proper 
intervals, effect a cure. They preserve the bowels in 
proper action, carry off feces which had begun to be offen- 
sive and hurtful, and prevent further accumulation. 

In selecting purgative medicines, we must flatter the taste 
of our young patients. Powder of jalap is not altogether 
unpleasant. The mild neutral salts, dissolved in a suitable 
quantity of beef tea, are also convenient purgatives; but 
calomel will prove on several accounts, the most certain 
and useful remedy of this kind. 

Neglect, on some occasions, and too great confidence in 
inert medicines, on others, allow the confirmed stage of 
marasmus to steal on imperceptibly. Manifest danger now 
threatens the young sufferer, whose remaining flesh and 
strength are rapidly wasted by the supervening fever; 
while prostration and depravity of appetite withhold 
necessary nourishment. And at the same time, the more 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 85 

inactive bowel, and greater bulk of feculent matter throw 
additional difficulties in the way of a cure. 

Under these circumstances, I adopt active practice, in 
the view o^ stimulating the intestines, and of putting the 
collected mass in motion without delay. I find these ends 
are best obtained by giving small doses of the purgative 
medicine which I employ, and by repeating these frequently \ 
so that the latter doses may support the effects of preceding 
ones. When the bowels are once opened, stronger purga- 
tives, given at longer intervals, will accomplish the cure. 

I observe calomel to be equally useful in this, as in the 
incipient state of the disease ; but great attention must be 
given during the exhibition of it. Without this, as the 
fetor of the breath prevents us from recognizing the mercu- 
rial fetor accurately, the mouth may be affected unneces- 
sarily and unexpectedly. 

While I thus give appropriate purgative medicines, I find 
it necessary, in order to have full information of their effects, 
to inspect daily what is passed at stool. The smell and 
appearance of the feces are a criterion of the progress we 
make in the cure, and direct the farther administration of 
the purgatives. This inspection is the more necessary, 
as we cannot expect the information we want from our little 
patients ; and we shall often look for it in vain from the 
attendants, whose prejudices, and whose ignorance of our 
views, prevent their seeing the propriety of the inquiry. 

During the prevalence of the disease, the feces are dark, 
fetid, and varying from a costive consistence, to that of clay, 
and are often fluid ; and such they appear upon the first 
exhibition of the purgative medicines. I observe that the 
recovery of the sick keeps pace with the return of feces 
of natural colour, form and smell ; a change which the 
repetition of purgatives does not fail to produce. 
8 



SG HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

While I give purgative medicines after this manner, ill 
this stage of marasmus, in which the obstinacy of the dis- 
ease is sometimes great 5 and the danger attending it immi- 
nent, nourishing food, of light and digestible quality, and 
suited to the taste of the patient, and the moderate use of 
wine, are much wanted. 

For some time after the symptoms have disappeared, it 
is expedient to continue a mild stimulus to the bowels. As 
they have recently suffered, and have been weakened by 
over distension, they are apt to favour subsequent accu- 
mulation of feces, the forerunner of a relapse, which is to 
be dreaded the more, as the patients have been weakened 
by previous disease. 

This gentle solicitation of the alvine (by ike bowels) evac- 
uation, for it ought to be gentle, is not attended with dan* 
ger ; on the contrary, it is the greatest promoter of recov- 
ery in this case, with which I am acquainted. It relieves 
the stomach, and improves the appetite and digestion. Be- 
sides, nothing more is intended by this practice, than to 
establish a regular action of the bowels, after long consti- 
pation, (costiveness-,) by procuring daily one or two easy 
motions, which are indeed at all times necessary to the 
healthy condition of childhood. 

With this precaution, I do not feel the necessity of em* 
ploying tonic and bracing medicines to complete the cure ; 
this object is readily obtained, in general, by the use of 
light nourishing food, and by the patient's being much in 
the open air. 

I do not, however, say that strengthening medicines may 
not be useful towards the close of the disease, and many 
practitioners set a value upon them. Lime water infusions 
of vegetable bitters and chalybeates, {preparations of iron 
and steel) are of this description ) and, provided they do 



SOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 87 

not, by any peculiar effect on the stomach, prevent nour- 
ishment being taken, will advance the return of the tone 
and vigorous action of the stomach and alimentary canal. 

I have thus endeavoured to unfold the opinion I entertain 
of this marasmus, and of the causes which induce it \ and 
to explain the method of cure which I have employed for a 
great length of time, with success, in my private practice. 

As marasmus proceeds from symptoms of slight indispo- 
sition, through a series of others which becomes daily more 
and more obstinate and dangerous ; as the first deviation 
from health is easily obviated by the stimulus of purgative 
medicines, which brings the sluggish bowels into regular 
action, and evacuates their contents ; and as the disease 
attacks the young and thoughtless, who can hardly explain 
their feelings, it behoves mothers and nurses, and superin- 
tendants of nurseries and of manufactories, to whom the 
care of the young is committed, to watch over their charge 
with assiduity. Prostration and depravity of appetite, a 
changing complexion, tumefaction of the abdomen, scanty 
and unnatural stools, and fetid breath, indicate approaching 
danger. When these, therefore, are observed, assistance 
should be asked ; by the prompt interposition oi which, 
much eventual distress, and even death itself, may be pre- 
vented. 

But other considerations weigh with me also, when I call 
for this assiduity. Marasmus has a close connexion with 
other formidable diseases, and either precedes or seems to 
accompany them ; of these, I shall at present notice two, 
hydrocephalus, {water in the brain,) and epilepsy, (falling 
sickness.) 

Hydrocephalus interims, the bane of infancy and of 
childhood, a disease big with suffering, and of a fatal ten- 
dency, has at all times occupied the attention of physicians. 



83 HOUSE SURGEON AND FKYSICIAN. 

They have endeavoured to investigate its nature, to assign 
the causes which induce it, and to propose curative indica- 
tions. Different sentiments on these subjects have led 
them to employ numerous and discordant remedies. Nev- 
ertheless, even now they are not agreed as to the causes of 
hydrocephalus, so involved are these in obscurity. Neither 
have they made the most distant approaches towards the 
discovery of a certain remedy for it. 

This much is known, that hydrocephalus often steals 
slowly on, with symptoms resembling those of incipient 
marasmus. Till some better theory, therefore, is estab- 
lished, it is not unreasonable to suppose that the marasmus, 
of which I have treated, may on some occasions give rise 
to hydrocephalus, by impairing the vigour of the constitu- 
tion, and by favouring serous effusion {watery collection) 
into the ventricles (interstices between the folds of the brain, 
where the water is lodged in dropsy of the head) of the brain. 

This conjecture merits the greater attention on this ac- 
count, that while the symptoms of hydrocephalus resemble 
those of incipient and even of confirmed marasmus, they 
have been removed by the diligent exhibition of purgative 
medicines. The truth of this observation has been repeat- 
edly confirmed in my private practice, and it affords an 
additional reason for the exercise of watchful attention, to 
prevent the confirmed state of marasmus, which may, in 
more instances than we are aware of, have been the fore- 
runner, if not the cause, of hydrocephalus. 

Epilepsy, than which no disease is so distressing to the 
patient, and perplexing to the physician, often appears in 
childhood. It acquires a hold, and is confirmed by the 
repetition of the fits, till their frequency and the force of 
habit fix it, and make it a constitutional disease for life. 

uurposc* to inquire in what manner 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 89 

the functions of the organs more immediately affected by- 
epileptic paroxysm are influenced, so as to give permanen- 
cy to the disease. The uncertainty of the theories pro- 
posed on this subject, and the little benefit that arises from 
them in practice, hold out little inducement to enter on the 
discussion. 

It is, however, I believe, generally understood, that the 
first attacks of epilepsy are not always idiophatic, {without 
previous or attendant symjrtoms, ivhich operate as a cause,) 
but are frequently the effect of particular irritation of the 
mind or body. There are many instances of irritation of 
the body inducing epilepsy. When no other is evident, 
the loaded intestine and the change induced on its contents 
in the course of the marasmus, of which I have spoken, 
may be suspected of giving the irritation in question. 

In fact, practitioners have had this circumstance in view ; 
for they enumerate worms in the intestines, or marasmus, as 
I understand their language, among the causes of epilepsy. 
Surely, therefore, this consideration suggests another co- 
gent reason for watching the rise and progress of maras- 
mus. And it will induce us, on the first attack of epilepsy 
in children, arising from an uncertain cause, to set on foot 
the most decided and active course of purgative medicines ; 
and not, peradventure, to allow the disease to strike root, 
while we are idly employed in the exhibition of inert and 
useless vermifuge medicines, or are groping in the dark in 
quest of other causes of the disease, or of uncertain reme- 
dies for their removal. 



90 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



FEMALE COMPLAINTS. 



THE MONTHLY PERIOD. 

The age at which the monthly evacuation commences, 
varies not only in different climates, but also in different 
individuals, in the same place. It usually appears about 
the fourteenth year, and continues for a period of thirty 
years. 

In some instances, this change takes place without any 
previous indisposition or uneasy feelings. But frequently 
it is preceded by various affections of the stomach and 
bowels, with pain in the back, and the health seems to 
decline, and not unfrequently a train of nervous or hys- 
terical symptoms occur. 

FIRST APPEARANCE PROTRACTED. 

With regard to the management of the constitution of 
young women, about the time when this evacuation com- 
mences, I would observe, that that which insures general 
health, prepares the way for the happy establishment of this 
important change in the female constitution. If the health 
declines with a disordered state of the stomach and bowels, 
the surface of the body should be kept warm by wearing 
a flannel shirt and drawers ; the use of the warm bath 
every second night ; moderate but regular exercise ; food 
easy of digestion ; keeping the bowels regular by rhubarb, 
Epsom-salts, or No. 6. 

It will be useful to employ tonic remedies, such as tina- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 91 

ture of steel or Ens. veneris and myrrh. If there appear 
symptoms which indicate an approaching consumption, it 
will be necessary to have early recourse to a practitioner. 

If the system seems to be simply lax and debilitated, the 
general remedies for strengthening are the best; wine, 
iron, bark. As the strength returns, use aloes and myrrh, or 
calomel and rhubarb. Riding in a waggon or on horseback. 

Sometimes girls, robust, florid, and healthy, suffer from 
a protracted appearance of the periodical evacuation, and 
complain of uneasiness, head-ache, and flushes ; such 
should observe a spare vegetable diet ; keep the bowels 
loose, and avoid violent exercise, particularly in crowded 
rooms. The most effectual remedy is to bleed from two 
to six ounces every twenty-eight days, and after the second 
or third bleeding, to postpone the operation a day or two 
longer to wait for the desired event. 

SUPPRESSION. 
In temporary and accidental suppression or stoppage 
from cold, bathe the feet and legs ; or the common practice 
of setting in, and over decoctions of herbs, and tightening 
the garters, are good means to restore the discharge. A dose 
of Elixir Pro. is a good addition to the treatment, and drink 
freely of catnip or motherwort teas on going to bed. If 
these fail, a little blood should be taken as soon as it is 
ascertained the period is missed. See American Remedies. 

DEFICIENCY. 

A deficient and painful turn is with some women very 
distressing. Such women should carefully avoid cold and 
every thing. which tends to disturb the general health ; at 
the period should keep the house, drink freely of warm 
teas, especially on going to bed ; should keep a moist skin, 



Q2 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

and use the warm bath, or sit over warm decoctions of 
herbs, and allay immoderate pains with opiates. 

PROFUSE DISCHARGE. 

A more frequent and more serious complaint is a pro- 
fuse flowing at the period, or an appearance at too short 
intervals. Such women should confine themselves to a 
horizontal posture on a hard bed or matrass; take cold 
drinks, astringents are to be preferred, such as rose-leaf 
tea, oak-bark and the like. Elixir vitriol may be added to 
the drinks. In obstinate cases, cold water and vinegar 
may be applied to the parts with cloths or otherwise ; and 
opiates relieve pains and moderate the discharge, — acetite 
of lead, joined to opium is a powerful and safe remedy 
when a physician attends, but should not be taken without 
advice. This should be said of the cold bath during the 
period. 

During the interval the patient should use exercise, such 
as riding in the open air, in a carriage, or on horseback, 
and should use wine, nourishing food, and preparations of 
iron, No. 6. 

Both in deficient and profuse discharges at the period, 
the prime object should be, next to obviating symptoms 
at the time, to mend the health during the interval. Irreg- 
ularity is commonly the effect of bad health, and people 
mistake when they suppose confirmed ill health grows out 
of accidental suppression. Violent and forcing remedies 
should always be avoided, and in female complaints the 
physician is too seldom consulted. 

CESSATION OF THE MENSES. 

The periodical discharge ceases spontaneously in most 
women between the ages of forty and fifty. In some it 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 93 

disappears suddenly, in others gradually ; when no symptoms 
of disease appear, no other attention to the change is neces- 
sary, than to observe temperance in all things ; every kind 
of excess, particularly that of spirituous liquors, should be 
carefully avoided. 

If symptoms of disease occur, during or at the time of the 
cessation of the periodical discharge, they should be treated 
as is elsewhere directed for such diseases. 

WHITES, OR SEXUAL WEAKNESS. 

This is a disease in which women have a thin white 
glairy discharge, in its mildest form resembling thin starch, 
and if attended with no pains is easily cured by removing 
the irritating cause, and washing and bathing in cold water. 

When, however, the discharge is of a yellow, brown, or 
green colour, and acrid or fetid, it then is certainly a con- 
stitutional disease, and should receive immediate attention. 
If the patient be of a full habit, with flushings in the face 
and palms of the hands, with strong full pulse, bleeding, 
with cool evacuating medicines, and a spare diet, will be 
sufficient to a cure. 

If the disease be of long standing, and the health is much 
impaired, and the strength much reduced, the stomach 
should be cleansed by a vomit, then should follow cordial 
and bracing medicines, such as bark, wine, elixir vitriol, 
preparations of iron. Thus we should endeavour to effect 
a cure by remedies which tend to re-establish health. But 
local remedies should not be long omitted, such as injections 
of tea, oak-bark, but more particularly a solution of half 
an ounce of alum in a quart bottle of soft water ; these 
should be frequently thrown up in the passage by means of 
a proper syringe. — See American Remedies. 



94 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS. 

In a well marked hysteric fit, a sense of pain or fulness 
is felt in the belly near the navel or left side. This grad- 
ually spreads, and a sensation is felt as if a ball passed up 
and stuck in the throat. The patient falls down insensi- 
ble, or convulsed, with irregular breathing, sobbing, and 
sometimes shrieking \ after this the symptoms are won- 
derfully varied in different cases, alternate laughing and 
crying, fainting, &c. 

The treatment during the fit is simply this — lay the 
patient on a sofa or bed in a warm room, open a door or a 
window, apply lavender or camphor to the temples, hold 
hartshorn to the nose ; as soon as the patient can swallow, 
give a tea-spoonful of lavender and hartshorn in a spoonful 
of water, or a dose of laudanum, and if necessary repeat 
them. 

To prevent a recurrence of the fit, purgatives of aloes, 
strengthening medicines, and avoiding high seasoned food, 
and every irregularity of body and mind. — See American 
Remedies, 



DISEASES OF INFANTS, 



INTRODUCTION. 

It is frequently said, little can be done for infants labour- 
ing under disease, because they can give no history or 
statement of their feelings and symptoms. 

Their diseases are simple and uniform • and to an experi- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 05 

enced examiner sufficiently apparent. Their signs of suf- 
fering cannot be mistaken, or pass unheeded, by a man of 
sagacity or feeling* Their language is that oi' nature un- 
sophisticated, they never cheat us. They have no ima- 
gination of their own, and fortunate it would he for them 
if their tenders had none. The God of Nature has provi- 
ded for them medicine and food, in the first issues from 
their mother's breasts ; and common sense forbids the sub- 
stitution of any filthy product of the gossip's brains, whether 
it be " chamber-ley to keep off sore mouth," or " straw- 
berries or cherry-rum, to obviate the terrible effects of the 
entailed longings of the mother." 

Soon as convenient after a child is born, it should be put 
to its mother's breasts. If circumstances forbid this, let it 
be fed with a little clean molasses and water, the best sub- 
stitute for the first of its mother's milk, which is laxative, 
Its dress should in no way make it uncomfortable. It 
should be suffered to sleep much of the first months, and 
when awake, carefully dandled for exercise. 

The worst that can happen to an infant, is to have a 
nurse who "knows a thousand things good for wind : and 
how to draw the mother's breast, and make pap and cau- 
dle;" and is skilled in "elixirs and laudanum."* 

When the bowels of a new-born infant do not move in 
time, and the molasses has been given, give a tea-spoonful 

* Formerly a surgeon could not live in peace, within hail of a 
11 prime nurse," unless he cut the strings of the tongues of all the 
children born in his vicinity. Fortunately, however, for the chil- 
dren of men, they are not now presumed to be sent into the world 
"half made up;" and it were to be wished that all gossips who 
believe in tongue-ties, chamber-ley, hot caudle, wind, and appari- 
tions, could be sent to nurse the children of that nation who shall 
be at war with us twenty-rive years hence. 



96 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

of castor oil, and repeat it in four hours ; should it be inef- 
fectual, or vomited, take 

Senna, 2 drachms, 

Manna, 1-2 a drachm, 

boiled in a gill of water, and administered freely till the 
bowels move. Physic may be assisted by emollient injec- 
tions, and fomentations to the bowels. Calomel in grain 
doses, repeated at four hours, is sometimes necessary to ob- 
viate the habit of costiveness. Infants will not be saliva- 
ted, and often require a repetition of the calomel. 

When convulsions are present, put the child into a warm 
or tepid bath : it removes spasms, and helps cathartics — 
and do not forget injections in this case. 

It is sometimes necessary to give a dose of elixir asth- 
matic after the operation of a cathartic, if the child seems 
restless and uneasy. 

THRUSH OF INFANTS. 

Needs no description. Is sometimes with, and sometimes 
without fever. Is best treated with an emetic of ipecac. 
Ipecac, 4 grains, 
Warm water, 6 tea-spoonfuls. 

Give one tea-spoonful every half-hour, till the patient 
pukes or purges. Should the bowels not move, give calo- 
mel as directed for costiveness. After the stomach and 
bowels are free, gargle with strong green tea, or touch the 
parts affected with borax and sugar ground together and 
moistened with cream. 

RED-GUM. 

Red-Gum is an eruption of fine pimples of a red colour, 
affecting infants mostly within the first month. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 87 

Give snake-root and saffron teas, to keep out the erup- 
tion ; and magnesia, to move the bowels and keep them 
free, 

SORE EARS, 

This is frequently a troublesome symptom, and one 
which should be cautiously treated. 

It may be washed with soft soap and water ; after which 
apply a scorched linen rag. During the cure, the patient 
should take a grain dose of calomel at evening. Should 
the bowels be readily moved and remain loose, should be 
repeated only every other night. 

It is doubtful whether this disease should ever be treated 
with astringents, except by a physician, 

DIARRHCEA. 

A diarrhoea often follows infants and children in conse- 
quence of bad diet, damp rooms, and negligence. 

In attempting the cure, we should be careful to avoid all 
causes which are obvious, and pay particular attention to 
the diet. It is frequently the case that the diet is offensive 
to the stomach, or badly digested, when we least suspect it. 
Consequently we should watch carefully what food agrees, 
and not fail to inspect the stools. 

If there is fever, we should begin the treatment with 
an emetic of ipecac. If no fever is present, calomel ; 
and calomel should be given after ipecac when there is 
fever. 

This disease is frequently obstinate, and requires a repe- 
tition of the medicine to clear the stomach and bowels. 
Besides, it not unfrequently depends on a disordered state 
of the liver, which has existed a long time, perhaps before 
5 9 



98 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

the birth of the child. After the stomach and bowels are 
free, we may use the following julep. 

Prepared chalk, 1-2 oz. 

Powdered cinnamon, 2 drachms 7 

Gum Arabic, 1 oz. 

Carbonate of potash, 1 drachm, 

Water, 1 pint. Mix, 

and boil half an hour. Give a spoonful at a time fre- 
quently ; and add laudanum according to the age of the pa- 
tient, every four hours. 

As a strengthener, use the following, which is Moseley's 
tonic solution. 

White vitriol, 5 drachms, 
Alum, 1 do. 

Water, 1 lb. Mix. 

Dose, from 4 to 20 drops, three times a day, according 
to the age and other circumstances. 

Opium in some form or other is a great help. 

The tepid hath is useful in rousing the skin, and soap 
added occasionally, will be beneficial, both as a medicine 
and detergent. 

Injections should not be forgotten, and Castile soap should 
be dissolved in them also. 

There will be cases where the head suffers, and symp- 
toms of dropsy m the head may attend y for which, apply 
blisters behind the ears and back of the neck. 

If vomiting supervene, put mustard paste or blisters on 
the stomach and limbs. Those on the limbs may be 
changed to another place, soon as they begin to inflame the 
skin, as we wish only to produce counter irritation, and 
not blistering. 

TOMITING. 

Vomiting is very common to healthy children, who eat 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 99 

or drink more than is necessary — needs no medication of 
course. 

Children bear pukes better than adults, and they should 
not be dreaded in croup, hooping-eough, &e„ 

When vomiting in children becomes troublesome, and 
attended with fever or emaciation, apply irritants to the 
skin, as mustard, paste of ginger, &c. Warm bath. Give 
internally the following : 

Chalk, 2 drachms, 

Lesser cardamom seeds, 1 drachm, 
Carbonate potash, 11-2 do. 

Boiling water, 1-2 lb. 

Feed freely. 

Note. — Many of the diseases incident to childhood have been 
noticed elsewhere. — See articles Croup, Hooping-cough? &c. 



VENEREAL DISEASE. 



CLAP. 

A preternatural flux from the urethra in men, arising 
from impure connexion. The action of the venereal poison 
on the passage, producing first an itching at its orifice, after- 
wards a discharge like matter, heat of urine, swelled testicle, 
and other painful and disagreeable symptoms. 

Treatment. — While the heat of urine continues, drink 
infusions of flax-seed, barley-water, or solution of gum Ara- 
bic. Use spare, cooling diet, avoiding spirits and spices, 



100 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN, 

using cooling gentle laxatives, as cream tartar and jalap., 
senna and manna, &c, not to purge much. 

Perfect attention to cleanliness, by purifications with 
warm milk and water, that the poison may not be absorbed 
into the system. If the parts at the head of the yard be 
much swollen and tender, soft fomentations, or flax-seed 
poultice with mineral water. For chordee, wrap the parts 
with cloths wet with laudanum, or take sixty drops of it on- 
going to bed. 

When every appearance of heat aad inflammation have 
subsided ; astringent injections may be used to stop the dis- 
ease : as white vitriol, twenty grains ; rose-leaf tea, or soft 
water, one pint, make an injection ; or, sugar of lead, fi£ 
teen grains; white vitriol, ten grains ; soft water, one pint, 
used for an injection.. While these injections are using., 
injections of opium, dissolved in water, may be frequently 
thrown up to relieve pain and allay irritation. Or opium 
may be taken internally for the same purpose. 

If injections are used too early in the disease, a swelled 
testicle is the consequence ; rest must be enjoined; a brisk 
purge often grains calomel and fifteen grains jalap, every 
two days ; cloths dripping with mineral water, cold, must 
be laid on the swelling, often repeated ; while the part is 
suspended in a bag attached to a strap around the body. 

After the inflammatory symptoms abate, and injections 
are used, a pill of one or two grains of ealomel, made up 
with bread crumb, may be taken every night or two, but 
not to purge, yet so as slightly to affect the gums, con- 
tinued till all symptoms of the disease disappear. If swelled 
testicle come on, lay by the pills until it is abated ; then 
resume them. — See American Remedies, : Sarsu^ariIIa 7 H$r- 
cule£ Clul, P&ke-iveed* 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 101 

Note. — There are some kinds of inflammatory affections which 
are, in the outset, treated with stimulating applications advantage- 
ously; and clap is one of those; and maybe treated, from the 
beginning, with the following injection : 

White vitriol, . . . . 10 grains. 
Soft water, . . . 5 oz. 

Mix for use. J 

Or the following remedy, to be taken internally: 

R. Balsam capivi, . .1-2 oz. 

Gum Arabic, 2 oz. 

Water, 4 oz. 

Compound spirit of lavender, . . 2 drachms. 
Sweet spirit of nitre, . . . .2 « 
Mix. — Dose, a table-spoonful, morning, noon, and night. 

Or the following : 

Take tincture of cantharides, in tea-spoonful doses, every three 
hours, till a severe strangury (stoppage of water with heat) come 
on ; then drink freely of mucilage of gum Arabic till the strangury 
and disease both disappear together, which w T ill probably take 
place in less than thirty hours. 

CHANCRE. 
Venereal sores may be sprinkled daily with red precipi- 
tate or calomel, and covered with lint or soft salve. Attend 
strictly to cleanliness. Take the calomel pill, as mentioned 
in clap. 

BUBO. 

A swelling in the groin ; should be rubbed with blue 
ointment of mercury. A lump of unguentum, as big as 
a hazle-nut, should be rubbed on the inside of the thigh 
every night; increase the quantity, till you double that 
mentioned. 

If the bubo is too forward to be dispersed, a soft poultice 



102 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

may be applied over it, to promote suppuration. In due 
time they may be opened as a boil. After opening, it may 
be treated with lint, red precipitate, and strict cleanliness * 
During the cure of every form of the venereal disease* 
the pill prescribed for clap may be used as there directed, 
avoiding spirits, spices, &c. If the mouth become sore, a 
gargle of borax half an ounce, honey one ounce, rose tea 
or soft boiling water one pint, may be used, and the medi- 
cine omitted for a short time. 

GLEET. 

By the term Gleet, we understand a continued running, 
or discharge, after the inflammatory symptoms of clap 
have subsided, being attended with pain, scalding in mak- 
ing water, &c. 

Gleets are always attended with a relaxed constitution, 
and may come without previous venereal infection, or may 
come long after such affections have been cured, by exces- 
sive venery, and other debilitating causes ; a simple gleet 
is never infectious. 

Treatment.- — Cold sea bathing cures more gleets than 
the use of the common cold bath. Balsams, turpentine, 
and tincture of cantharides, taken internally, are useful, 
and wiil effect a cure soon, if at all, and need not be long 
continued. Injections of white vitriol, oak bark, alum, lead, 
&c, may be used, and usually cure. 

A solution of corrosive sublimate, two grains in eight 
ounces of water, is a powerful injection, but should not be 
used in irritable habits. 

Bougies are a powerful means in the hands of surgeons 
or well-informed apothecaries. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 103 



URINE. 

Suppression, and difficulty of passing urine. 

Treatment. — Asparagus and fennel roots, infusion of 
sassafras twigs, wintergreen tea, solution of gum Arabic. 
Inject into the passage sweet oil, or milk and water. Let 
the patient stand on a cold hearth, sprinkle his loins with 
cold water. Pour a gentle stream of water in the hearing 
of the patient. 

In every case of difficulty of making water, opium is of 
the utmost service. 

INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE OF URINE. 

Put a blister on the rump, and take pills of Burgundy 
pitch. 

GRAVEL. 

Use wintergreen tea, soda habitually, gum Arabic, uva 
ursi, opium, warm bath. Injections as above. 

In every difficulty of urine, live a temperate life, and 
avoid every kind of irregularity. — See American Remedies : 
Prince's Pine. 



ULCERS, BOILS, &c. 



Ulcers commonly appear as sequels to other diseases ; 
as, external injuries, inflammation, suppuration, mortifi- 
cation, &c. 

When an ulcer is of a recent nature, it should be healed 
as quick as possible. But when an ulcer has been of long 



104 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

standing, or has become habitual, especially in an old per- 
son, a surgeon should be consulted; or a blister or issue 
should be applied, and kept open for some time, as a sub- 
stitute for the drain of the old ulcer. Many have fallen 
martyrs to their neglect of this precaution, particularly old 
men who have suddenly cured their sore legs, and children 
who have been cured of ulcers about the head. 

Ulcers are either healthy or vitiated. 

The matter in healthy ulcers is white, thick, and does 
not stick to the surface. — (See article Supjniration.) The 
granulations (growth of new flesh) are small, florid, and 
pointed at top, rising no higher than the surrounding flesh ; 
a smooth film begins to form from the skin at the edges, 
which spreads over the whole ; this is the new skin, which 
is to complete the cure. 

An ulcer answering this description is in a healthy or 
healing state.* The dressing should be soft lint or mild 
ointment of lard and beeswax, or No. 21. Avoid all sources 
of irritation, by observing perfect rest. 

Filling the ulcer with soft lint, and applying over it a 
plaster of simple ointment ; the lint to absorb the matter 
as it forms, and the plaster to prevent evaporation, (which 
make the dressing stick to, and wound the surface,) is a 
good way of dressing. 

If over this we wind a bandage, which makes gentle and 
equal pressure, the rest may be left to nature ; only renew- 
ing the dressing daity, and cleansing the ulcer thoroughly 
with warm water and Castile soap. — See American Remedies. 

* Perhaps the term healthy, as applied to ulcers, is objectionable. 
We mean by it, ulcers whose tendency is to heal, in distinction 
from those whose tendency is to degenerate, and so become 
worse, and more difficult ©f cur©. 



EOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 105 

Foul or ill-conditioned ulcers, must become healthy 
before they can heal, and may be divided into Irritable 
and Indolent 

IRRITABLE ULCERS. 

The irritable ulcer has an undetermined jagged edge ; 
the bottom has unequal lumps and hollows; a thin gleety 
discharge ; the surface when touched is painful, and bleeds. 

Treatment. — Steam of warm water ; fomentations or de- 
coctions of poppy-heads, night and morning. Extract of 
hemlock and henbane, dissolved in warm w r ater. Emol- 
lient poultices of flax-seed : under the poultice lay a piece 
of lint or cloth, dipped in opium-water, made by dissolving 
one drachm of opium in three gills of water. Carrots, 
boiled and beat to a pulp, applied as a poultice. A change 
of dressing is indispensable. Bandaging is pernicious in 
irritable ulcers. As soon as this, or any other ill-condi- 
tioned ulcer, assumes a healthy appearance, treat as direct- 
ed under healthy ulcers. — See American Remedies : Com- 
mon Elder. Stramonium. 

INDOLENT ULCERS. 

The edges of this kind of ulcer are thick, prominent, 
smooth, and rounded ; the bottom smooth and glossy, cov- 
ered with a thin, transparent, glairy fluid, or a tough, thick, 
white matter, which can hardly be rubbed off. Sometimes 
these ulcers turn livid ; not unfrequently a sloughing takes 
place. 

Treatment. — Internally, bark, iron, wine, and generous 
diet. 

Local Applications. — Red precipitate sprinkled on, over 
which place lint or simple salve, and a tight bandage. 
5* 



106 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Night and morning bathe with decoctions of oak bark or 
walnut leaves, or immerse in quick ley. 

But all applications must give place to Mr. Baynton's 
new method of treating indolent or habitual ulcers, which 
consists in applying strips of adhesive-plaster round the 
limb, so as to cover the sore, and at least an inch above 
and below the ulcer. The straps should be three or four 
inches wide, and drawn tight. The parts are to be cov- 
ered with compresses or soft cloth, and the limb rolled in 
humhum bandages. The dressings are to be wet with cold 
spring-water, which helps to remove the dressings, and 
keeps off inflammation. With this dressing, the patient 
may walk about, and attend to his business. In this way, 
the scar is much less, and the ulcer less likely to break 
out again. — See article Bandage. 

BOILS. 

The common boil is a circumscribed, very prominent, 
hard, deep-red, painful inflammatory swelling, not exceed- 
ing in general the size of a pigeon's egg ; seldom attended 
with fever. 

Treatment. — Gentle purgatives of salts, cream tartar, and 
sulphur. Local applications of diachylon-plaster, paste of 
flour and molasses, or yolk of an egg with flour. Emol- 
lient poultices ; if there is much pain, add to the poultices 
decoction of poppy-heads, lettuce, henbane, &c. 

If the boil is tardy in bursting, it may be opened with 
a lancet or knife, but so freely that the core may escape. 
Be careful to distinguish this from a carbuncle, soon to be 
described. 

BLIND BOILS. 

Persons are sometimes afflicted with a number or suc- 
cession of what are popularly termed Blind Boils. These, 



HOUSE StJKGJEON AND PHYSICIAN. 107 

for the most part, appear on the back part of the body, as 
near the shoulder-blades, nape of the neck, elbows, back 
of the wrists and hands, as well as about the joints of the 
lower extremities ; at the same time the health is poor, and 
the appetite impaired. 

In consequence of a prevailing prejudice, repeated doses 
of salts are resorted to; with a view, as they say, "to 
cleanse the blood;' 5 but nothing worse could be done. 

A portion of calomel should be given at evening, followed 
in the morning with a portion of rhubarb, should the calo- 
mel fail to move the bowels. These should be repeated 
every second evening and morning, till the stools are evi* 
dently bilious, by their green, or rather dark colour. This 
will prepare the system for receiving a free use of bark 
and wine, which will at once bring those tardy livid lumps 
to a suppuration, and effectually prevent a succession of 
crops. 

Under a liberal use of bark and wine, with nourishing 
diet, every symptom of disease will disappear ; the coun- 
tenance, before pale and wan, will assume a florid, healthy 
hue, and cheerfulness take the place of languor and irreso- 
lution. 

CARBUNCLE.* 
A carbuncle is a malignant kind of boil. Sometimes 
they are as large as a plate : a number of small openings 
appear on the surface, discharging a yellow, greenish, 
bloody, irritating matter. Large sloughing, and sometimes 
mortification takes place. 

* It will be seen that boil and carbuncle require opposite general 
treatment, viz. : For a boil, a spare diet and cool regimen; for a 
carbuncle, full diet and cordials. 



108 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSIC IAN. 

Carbuncles are sometimes symptoms of plague and 
malignant fevers. 

Treatment. — A free opening should be made in every 
carbuncle. An emollient poultice should then be applied ; 
the matter and sloughs will then escape, and make room 
for a healthy suppuration. 

An emetic or cathartic, to clear the stomach and bowels ; 
bark, camphor, cordials, tonic remedies, with wine and 
nourishing diet. Opium, to relieve pain and irritation. 
After the sloughing has taken place, and the carbuncle has 
become an ulcer, treat as is laid down for ulcers. 

CORNS 

. Are commonly brought on by tight shoes and boots, and 
will be relieved by wearing loose ones. Eight or twelve 
pieces of linen, smeared with soft salve, having a hole cut 
in the middle, fitting the corn, and laid over each other, so 
that the corn may not touch the shoe or stocking, applied 
for several weeks, generally causes them to disappear. 

Take of yellow wax, gum ammoniac, each two ounces ; 
six drachms verdigris, make a plaster, and apply to the corn. 
If the corn does not disappear in a fortnight, apply another 
plaster. Some cure corns by rubbing them repeatedly with 
lunar caustic. Others, by laying on a little blister, larger 
than the corn, which will commonly raise the corn with the 
plaster, so that it drops from its bed. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 109 



PAINFUL AFFECTIONS. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 

Systematic writers have generally considered painful 
affections only as symptoms of other diseases ; and although 
this may be satisfactory to scientific readers, still we may 
be excused for attempting to afford assistance to the unscien- 
tific sufferer, by putting down his case under a well known 
head, as " tooth-ache, pain in the side/' &c. Further, 

If we mistake not, pain does occur independent of other 
disease inform ; for instance, generally, pains from torpor 
or inanition ; as the fingers aching with cold, hunger, &c. 

I would not be understood to suppose that pain comes 
sua sponta of its own accord ; but that, in some cases, pains 
may be properly considered and treated independently of 
those diseases, with which they are customarily associated 
by systematic writers. 

TOOTH- ACHE.* 
It is difficult to account for the rotten specks and holes 
which occur in the teeth, and that even while the consti- 
tution remains unimpaired, since the teeth seem to be almost 
indestructible after they are extracted. 

* Our unlettered anglo- Saxon forefathers called this disease 
" totkece" and it seems at least to be as old as the common-law of 
England. Yet, forsooth, Europeans talk and write as if decayed 
teeth were peculiar to America ! Strange those wiseacres have 
never argued hence, that Americans were becoming less carnivor- 
ous and blood-thirsty. 

10 



110 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Teeth more commonly ache in consequence of exposure 
of the nerve, through a defect of the animal and bony part. 
May be relieved by removing with a proper instrument the 
rotten part, and filling the cavity with tinfoil or gold. By 
this process of "loading the teeth," as it is called, pain is 
relieved, and decay is suspended for years. Until this can 
be done, a dossil of cotton, dipped in oil of peppermint, or 
cloves, or cajeput, or laudanum, will frequently relieve for 
the time. 

When a number of teeth and gums are painful, putting 
grated horse-raddish, or paste of ginger, on the jaws, or 
chewing pelletory or ginger-root will relieve. 

The practice of extracting teeth for slight pain or incipient 
disease, should be reprobated. They in every point of 
view are important. 

To preserve the teeth, wash them morning and evening 
with a soft brush in clean water ; should this not be suf- 
ficient, rub them once a-day with fine powdered charcoal, 
kept in a close-stopped vial ; should the gums be spongy or 
incline to bleed, use powder of bark, or tincture of bark 
as a wash. 

Acids and gritty substances are pernicious applications 
for the teeth ; they soon change the living white of the enamel 
for a dingy harbinger of destruction. I mention this prin- 
cipally with a view to caution against pompous dentifrices 
and quack dentists ; yet, I do consider a faithful, honest, and 
ingenious dentist as a valuable member of society, and one 
who should be encouraged. 

NERVOUS FACE-ACHE. 

" TIC-DOULOUREUX" OF THE FRENCH WRITERS. 

Physicians scarcely find a more intractable disease than 
this to manage, and patients seldom one more intolerable to 
bear. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. Ill 

It commonly attacks by keen lancinating pains, first as 
if a nail was driving in between the eye and cheek bone ; 
spreading to the wings of the nose, upper lip, teeth and 
gums, through the temple, ear, and side of the head, yet 
generally confined to one side. 

This disease is known from nervous head-ache, rheu- 
matism, and tooth-ache, by the shortness of the paroxysm, 
the rapidity of succession and complete intermission of pain 
during the interval. Besides the slightest motion or touch 
of the part is sufficient to set the pain to radiating like 
lightning, so to speak, through all the branches of the side 
of the face. 

Treatment. — To talk here, of cutting through to the 
nerve, would be idle, only to state it has been done, and 
usually the operation has succeeded, not always. Prepa- 
rations of arsenic ; opium ; extracts of henbane, hemlock, 
nightshade ; stramonium, with ipecac ; all in large doses, 
as the stomach will bear, are chiefly relied on. Mercurial 
ointment, so as to effect the gums, has relieved. 

1 mention nothing here in treating this disease, which 
will be safe in the hands of any but able physicians. Per- 
haps the yellow T powder of hops made into pills, with extract 
of hemlock, would relieve the pain, at the same time hops 
taken from hop-infusion might be applied externally to the 
part. 

HEAD-ACHE. 

Pain in some instances over the whole head. Sometimes 
it is confined to a point ; when this is the case the pain is 
felt most commonly over one eye. 

Head-ache attends most febrile diseases as a symptom. 

In this article we shall confine ourselves to those species 
of head-ache which are unattended by fever. 

When the disease originates from foulness of the stom- 



112 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ach, a gentle emetic is the best remedy ; when costiveness 
prevails, laxatives or Epsom salts, or pearlash in cider, 
drank on an empty stomach, and while foaming. 

When gouty or rheumatic pains attack the head, blister 
the extremities and give laudanum. 

Periodical head-aches may be cured by Fowler's solu- 
tion, used as for ague and fever, which see. 

Most head-aches may be relieved by application of cam- 
phorated spirit, bay rum, vinegar and water, and spirit 
and water. 

STOMACH-ACHE. 

Some persons are at times attacked with severe pains in 
the stomach, and the common application of warm and 
stimulating things do not relieve. 

When the pain is continual and oppressive, it may be 
necessary to premise an emetic of ipecac. But when the 
pain comes in severer paroxysms, with short intervals of 
comparative ease, complete relief may be had by taking a 
full dose of No. 9 or 10 after the return of every parox- 
ysm. On waking from sleep after dosing as above directed, 
give, before rising from bed, a single dose of the powder, or 
a glass of sling ; else sickness at stomach and swimming 
of the head will be troublesome. 

STITCH, OR PAIN IN THE SIDE. 

This occurs in delicate habits upon sudden or long con- 
tinued exertion. May be relieved by a long strap of ad- 
hesive plaster, or a bandage rolled round the chest so as to 
make equal pressure. 

Tight stays have unquestionably helped their wearers to 
a misgiving chestj and so have corsets, boards, and the like ; 
yet these can be no way injurious, provided they give only 
gentle and equal pressure. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 113 



POISONS. 



MINERAL POISONS. 



The chief of these are arsenic, strong preparations of 
mercury and lead. 

Where arsenic, or muriate of mercury, (corrosive subli- 
mate,) has been swallowed, a strong puke should be given 
as soon as possible. 

Drink freely of some diluting liquor, as of barley-water, 
gum- water, flax-seed tea, mallows, &c. Oils should be 
given freely, and large injections of oil with any of the 
above-mentioned drinks. Pearlash water, quickly drunk, 
will somewhat counteract the poison. Where metallic 
poison has been swallowed, ipecac should be immediately 
given without measure. 

Where an over dose of arsenic has been swallowed, a 
pricking burning heat is felt in the stomach, and most ex- 
cruciating pains in the bowels, rough, parched tongue, un- 
quenchable thirst, anxiety and restlessness ; swelling of 
the belly, hiccough, fetid puking, stools, and death. 

Lead produces colic, and palsy, which see. 

Verdigris swallowed is highly poisonous. Emetics as 
in the case of arsenic, and followed by pearlash water, 
drank freely. 

The tests of poison can be known only to physicians and 
chemists. 



114 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

VEGETABLE POISONS. 

The vegetable poisons produce, when taken, giddiness, 
confusion, or loss of sight, with dilatation of the pupils of 
the eyes, palpitations, loss of memory, fatuity, low-mut- 
tering, delirium, stupor ; sometimes vomiting, convulsions 
and death. 

Those most liable to be taken, are wild fennel, hemlock, 
night-shade, thorn apple, and other such plants. 

Opium, henbane, foxglove, Carolina pink, are liable to 
be taken in over doses, or by mistake, as medicines. 

The running rooting sumac, called mercury, is some- 
times eaten inadvertently, as it climbs fruit-trees, and being 
bruised, drops its juice, which dries upon the fallen fruit. 
This produces an eruption upon the skin ; is cured by a 
wash of corrosive sublimate, ten grains to a pint of water. 
Bark may be given internally with wine. 

As soon as it is ascertained that a person has swallowed 
a vegetable poison sufficient to endanger life, emetics of 
white vitriol, tartar emetic and ipecac should be given till 
they operate. 

When the patient pukes, a free use of dilutents should 
follow ; vegetable acid drinks, as vinegar, lemonade, &c. 
Coffee is a good drink in such cases. 

If the remedies are directed in time, the principal source 
of 'danger is the fear of overdosing ; vegetable poisons ren- 
der the stomach insensible ; and consequently common 
doses have no effect ; and it is best to repeat in quick suc- 
cession, a full dose of the first mentioned remedies, till a 
retching and vomiting takes place. Then proceed as is 
above directed. Cases of intoxication may receive the 
same treatment as vegetable poisons. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 115 

ANIMAL POISONS. 

Most of the animal poisons have been mentioned in the 
surgical part of this work. See Bites of Venomous Ser- 
pents, &c. 

Some persons, owing to peculiarity of constitution, or 
from some other cause, are poisoned by eating freely of 
oysters, lobsters, eels, &c. 

Symptoms produced are, uneasiness, giddiness, and a 
blaze in spots on the skin. A smart vomit should be im- 
mediately taken, followed by vinegar, and a free use of 
milk. 

But a terrible poison is found in many kinds of fish in 
hot climates. The yellow bill-sprat, and cavalee, are most 
to be dreaded ; but rock-fish, and king-fish, are sometimes 
poisonous, with others. As in other cases of poison, vom- 
iting should be premised, then a purge of oil or calomel. 

Ardent spirits, strong cordials, and Madeira wine should 
be drank freely. 

If vomiting or cholera morbus come on, or follow, opium, 
and more particularly if convulsions come on. 

The alkalies, hartshorn and pearlash, may be of service. 

Pains of the joints and other symptoms often continue a 
long time to harass the patient ; wrap the parts in flannel ; 
warm bath. Remove to a cold climate. 

The entrails of a suspected fish should be given to a cat 
or a dog, and if no ill effect follow in two hours to the ani- 
mal which eats them, the fish is good. The test by a silver 
spoon should not be relied on. Unknown fish without 
scales, and uncommonly large fish of their kind, are sus- 
picious. 



116 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



ACCIDENTS, CASUALTIES, &c, 



SUSPENDED ANIMATION. 

It is certain that life, when to all appearance lost, may 
often, by due care, be restored. Accidents frequently prove 
fatal, merely because proper means are not used to coun- 
teract their effects. 

In consequence of drowning, suffocation, and stangula- 
tion, a check is given to the principle of life without wholly 
extinguishing it. In drowning, the circulation of blood 
becomes slow and feeble. Air is discharged from the lungs, 
and water drawn in, a struggling comes on, succeeded by 
convulsions; the breast ceases to rise, and the breath stops; 
soon the skin, especially about the face and neck, becomes 
of a purple or blue colour, and the body sinks. 

When a person dies from suffocation, the symptoms are 
nearly the same as in apoplexy. 

In strangulation, convulsions are joined to apoplectic 
symptoms. 

Livid dark spots on the face, stiffness and coldness of the 
body, a glassy appearance of the eyes, and a flaccid state 
of the skin, denote a perfect extinction of life. Actual 
putrefaction is the only certain sign of death. The noble 
machine may be stopped, yet the spring retain its elastic 
vigour. 

The following are the means to be employed for the 
recovery of persons recently drowned: 

As soon as the body is taken out of the water, it is to be 
conveyed with as little tossing and agitation as possible to the 
nearest house, where it is quickly to be stripped of the wet 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 117 

clothes, and wiped perfectly dry ; then to be laid between 
warm blankets, and on the right side : the head to be cov- 
ered with a warm woollen cap, and bags filled with warm 
sand, or bricks heated and wrapped in flannel are to be 
applied to the feet and sides. The doors and the windows 
are to be thrown open in order that the pure air may be 
freely admitted, and no persons but such as are necessary 
in the operation, should be allowed to enter. 

We should in the next place endeavour to expand the 
lungs, and if possible, make them resume their office. 
This may be done by inserting the tube of a bellows in one 
nostril, and stopping the other, as also the mouth, and gently 
forcing the air into the lungs till the chest is raised, then 
with the hand depressing the breast, and thus imitating 
natural breathing, a strong person with a tube in the nostril, 
or by putting his mouth in contact with that of the sufferer, 
may raise the lungs. 

The lungs being inflated, rub every part of the body 
with salt, and flannel cloths, carefully avoiding the access 
of cold, and gradually increasing the warmth as symptoms 
of life seem to return. Should the friction with flannel 
fail, apply flannels wrung out of very hot water, to the 
region of the heart, and sides of the chest. Or put the patient 
into a warm bath. 

Apply hartshorn to the nose, and with it wipe the temples. 
Stimulating clysters to the intestines, but not of tobacco. 
As soon as the person can swallow, a cordial may be given. 

By perseverance in such means, persons have been 
restored to life long after all signs of life had become 
extinct. The use of the means should not be given up, till 
four or five hours have elapsed. 

After the vital heat and circulation are restored, bleed- 
ing may be proper ; of this a physician alone can judge. 



118 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

In cases of apparent death from suffocation and strangling, 
the same precautions are necessary, and many of the same 
means are proper; bleeding may be sooner used. 

In all cases of suspended animation, on the smallest 
appearance of respiration, or restoration to life, wine cor- 
dials, or a little brandy and water, should be conveyed into 
the stomach, in small quantities at a time, and frequently 
repeated. When the patient comes perfectly to himself, 
he should be allowed every benefit from repose. 

CHOKE DAMPS. 

JErial poisons. — Persons cannot breathe where a candle 
will not burn. The air becomes contaminated and useless 
by repeated breathing, by burning charcoal in a close 
place, and when rendered noxious, being much heavier 
than the pure atmosphere, collects in low places, as caverns, 
wells not used, and in vaults where fermenting liquor are 
kept, &c. The fumes of some of the metals are also dele- 
terious, such as lead, copper, antimony, mercury, &c. 

The danger from damps, or foul air, is increased by their 
silently extinguishing life, particularly that of fixed air, 
(carbonic acid gas.) This aerial poison benumbs the sen- 
sibility and faculties, so that the person immersed in it is 
entirely insensible of his danger, and dies without a 
struggle. 

Symptoms. — The head, face and neck are swollen, the 
eyes are propelled from their sockets, the tongue hangs 
out at one side of the mouth, the jaws fixed, the face livid, 
and the lips blue, and the person appears in a profound 
sleep. 

On breathing deleterious fumes, the patient feels a sense 
of weariness, giddiness succeeded by head-ache, lethargy, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 119 

fainting, convulsions, general stupor ; frequently, however, 
death comes without a precursor. 

Treatment. — As soon as a person is discovered^ who has 
suffered by breathing any kind of foul air, he should be 
carried immediately into pure cool air, and freely exposed, 
being supported in a leaning posture on a chair. The 
face should be sprinkled with vinegar, and the stomach 
with cold water. After each sprinkling of cold water, 
rub the skin with flannel or a soft brush. Apply hartshorn 
to the nose, and warm water to the feet. Clysters of vine- 
gar and water ; and if there appear an inclination to vomit, 
promote it by a feather dipped in oil ; continue the sprink- 
ling and frictions. The first symptoms of returning life, 
are shivering and foaming at the mouth. 

Air may be introduced into the lungs as mentioned in 
other cases of suspended animation ; as soon as the patient 
can swallow, give vinegar and water, or some other acid 
beverage, 

CHOKING. 

As soon as any person is observed to be choked, and 
more particularly children, the obstructing body should be 
felt for with a finger at the top of the throat ; it is possible 
many times to remove it directly ; and should we fail in 
this, the puking excited by the finger frequently removes 
the offending body. 

Food and foreign substances are sometimes lodged in 
the top of the windpipe, and produce immediate suffoca- 
tion ; help in this case must be afforded at the moment by 
introducing the finger. 

Unless the offending body can be seen, any apparatus is 
unsafe, except in the hands of an experienced surgeon. 

Presence of mind will enable any person to do much in 



120 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN, 

all cases of casualty, particularly in this ; and the direc- 
tions above are sufficient. The finger, and the vomiting 
which it is sure to produce, will do much more at the 
instant than is commonly thought. 

FALLS. 

The concussion or shock of a sudden fall from an emi- 
nence is such, as to leave the sufferer breathless ; and here 
there is often apparent death, though no destruction of 
parts has taken place. 

In this case, the person should be turned to an easy pos- 
ture of body, and the air freely admitted, or waved into his 
face. Should the breath not return, the lungs should be 
filled, as in cases of drowning. A cordial should be given ; 
and the patient should not be bled, simply because he has 
fallen ; yet symptoms may require it, such as obstructed 
breathing. Bleeding is of essential service when the 
pulse rises, or pain and inflammation come on. — See Con- 
tused Wounds, &c. 

In falls from fainting, the head should not be raised, nor 
persons crowd around. A little water sprinkled in the face 
is commonly sufficient. Hartshorn, lavender, ether, &c, 
may be administered. 

LIGHTNING. 

Persons apparently dead from lightning, may frequently 
be restored by proper means. Sprinkling or affusion of 
cold water, and in general the means laid down for serial 
poisons, are to be persevered in. A rigidity of the limbs 
usually attends persons recovering from a stroke of light- 
ning. Sprinkling, and rubbing the parts with cold water, 
should be often used. 

The means to be used for the recovering of persons 



•HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 121 

apparently deprived of life, are nearly similar in all cases. 
They are practicable by every one who happens to be 
present at the accident, and require but little expense, and 
less skill. The great aim is to preserve or restore the vital 
warmth and motion. This may in general be attempted, 
by heat, frictions, blowing air into the lungs, administering 
clysters, cordials, &c. These must be varied according to 
circumstances. Common sense, and the situation of the 
patient, will suggest the means of relief. Above all, we 
would recommend perseverance. Much good may, and no 
harm can result. Who would grudge pains in such a case ? 

BURNS AND SCALDS. 

Instantly plunge the parts in cold water. If not blistered, 
wrap in cotton bats, or wash in alum-whey or vinegar. 

The new practice is, to bathe the part in rectified spirit 
of wine, or camphorated spirit ; then apply a plaster of 
yellow basilicum, (No. 21,) softened with spirit of turpen- 
tine, to remain twenty-four hours ; then renewed, with as 
little exposure to the air as possible. If fungus (proud- 
flesh) arise, sprinkle with powdered chalk. Give internally 
opium to allay pain and irritation. If the part is absolutely 
destroyed, apply an emollient poultice till it sloughs. — See 
Mortification-. 

Stramonium ointment, made of the juice of the plant in 
the common way, has justly been celebrated; an ointment 
made from indigo- weed is also much used by the judicious 
country people. — See Thorn-apple and Wild Indigo. 

FROST. 

In order to thaw frozen limbs, they should be rubbed in 
snow, or water with ice in it, until sensibility and motion 
return ; taking care not to break slender parts, as the ear, 
6 11 



122 HOUSE SUEGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

fingers, &c. As soon as feeling and motion return, the 
friction is to be continued with brandy, oil of amber, tinct. 
myrrh, or camphorated spirit. Put the patient to bed in a 
chamber with a fire in it ; give mulled wine, and in this 
situation let him remain till a perspiration appears, and a 
perfect recovery of sensibility takes place. 

Sudden exposure to heat, occasions inflammation, morti- 
fication, and loss of life or limb. If this has been impru- 
dently done, still try the above plan, and save what you 
can. If inflammation or mortification has already taken 
place, see the proper treatment under those heads. If 
ulceration succeeds, the ulcers are commonly of the irrita- 
ble kind.- — -See Ulcers. 

If the whole body is frozen, treat ^s above directed. If 
signs of life appear, apply strong volatiies to the nose, blow 
into the Jungs. Never use tobacco injections in any case 
of suspended animation, 

CHILBLAINS 

Are red tumours, commonly about the heels, occasioned 
by suddenly exposing a cold part to the fire, or a heated 
part to intense cold. They are accompanied with intoler- 
able heat, itching, pain, and soreness. After a while, they 
burst, and form ulcers, slow to heal, and which sometimes 
turn black and mortify. 

Treatment. — When they first appear, immerse the parts 
three times a-day in ice-cold water \ after which, dry them 
well, and cover with socks. 

If they inflame, use mineral water, camphorated spirit^ 
alum-water, spirit of turpentine, balsam capivi. 

If they ulcerate, warm vinegar, lime-water, quick-ley,- 
salve No. 21, with red precipitate rubbed into k. Touch 
with lunar caustic. 



H0TJSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 123 

RUPTURE. 

This disease is the protruding of a bowel through the 
sides of the belly, and lifting the skin and fat over it. It is 
not in consequence of laceration or tearing, but the opening 
is in consequence of relaxation of the parts, and straining. 
The bowels are not held in place by a strong sac or bag ; 
for the strong sides of the belly are made by an overlapping 
of the flat muscles which bend the body forward and side- 
ways ; not unlike the layers of green leaves which com- 
pose the child's basket for summer small fruit. In violent 
straining, the edges of the muscles which overlap give way 
from each other, and the bowel escapes through the inter- 
stice, carrying the lining of the belly with it. 

Treatment. — When ruptures can be reduced by the 
hand, it ought always to be done ; and the patient should 
always retain the parts in place by a bandage or truss. 
Persons who cannot keep up a rupture, should support it 
by a bandage, and carefully avoid pressure and bruises. 
Also avoid costiveness, or any irregularity. 

If heat, pain, or inflammation come on, apply cloths 
dipped in cold water, or filled with snow; use injections, 
while you send for a surgeon. 

VARIX, OR ENLARGED VEIN, 
These are most apt to appear in the legs. Slight affec- 
tions of this kind may be cured by rolling a bandage neatly 
from the toes to the knee, so as to produce equal pressure ; 
and it should be moistened with cold water, snow, brandy, or 
alum in vinegar. — See article Bandage. 



124 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN., 



DISEASES OF THE EYES 



Inflammation of the eyes, redness, heat, pain, intoler- 
ance of light, effusion of tears ; in more severe cases, there 
is a violent throbbing, burning, darting pain in the eye ; the 
eye feels pressed ; the pain is increased by motion of the 
eye ; sometimes there is considerable swelling. Inflam- 
matory fever. 

After a few days, the heat, throbbing, and violent pain 
abate, as also the fever ; but the eye remains weak, more 
moist than usual, and more or less red. This is the chronic 
state of inflammation, and requires different treatment from 
the acute. 

Treatment for the acute stage.— In general, mild cases 
are easily cured by means of low diet and gentle purging, 
with small doses of antimonial wine, or, in more violent 
cases, bleeding, salts. 

R. Tartar emetic, . I grain. 

Barley-water, . . .11-2 pint. 
Cream tartar, . . 1 drachm. 

Loaf sugar, . . . 1-4 oz. Mix. 

Take a whole or half a wine-glass full every two hours. 
This will move the bowels, promote perspiration, and check 
inflammation and fever. Apply externally milk and water 
for a wash, and roasted apples as a poultice in a muslin 
bag at night. 

As soon as the acute inflammatory symptoms are over, 
use the following : A wash made of rose-leaf tea, half a 
pint ; white vitriol, five grains : mix. Or, sugar of lead 3 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 125 

eight grains ; camphorated spirit, ten drops ; soft water, three 
gills. Or, No. 23 diluted, if it cause pain. 

Note. — A partial or total loss of sight, in one or both eyes, 
sometimes occurs ; and yet to an examiner no external appearance 
of disease presents itself, except perhaps a fullness of the ball, 
without redness. I have heard this disease (though it should seem 
improperly) called " White inflammation of the eyes." 

Treatment. — In the first instance, a full emetic, (and tartar emetic 
is the best, if the strength will bear; if not, ipecac;) and, were I 
writing to physicians, I would say, " Continue the nauseating effect 
till the absorbent system is thoroughly roused ;" after which, give 
Fowler's Solution, as directed for Intermittent fever. 

There is a weakness, or, rather, tenderness of the eyes, which 
sometimes creeps on almost imperceptibly; and at other times 
succeeds other diseases of the eyes : this is relieved and cured by 
dropping frequently into the eye Sydenham's Laudanum, 
R. Spanish (white) wine, . . . 1 lb. 
Opium, . . . . . . 2 oz. 

Saffron, 1 oz. 

Cinnamon and cloves, each . . . 1 drachm. 
Mix. — Digest 1 4 days. 
Upon the first use of it, a severe smarting is felt, with profusion 
of tears : to this succeeds a warm glow of the parts, and finally a 
pleasant sensation and clearness of sight. Perhaps more cases of 
chronic weakness of the eyes will yield to this medicine than to 
all others. Yet, to expect much relief, the use of the medicine 
should be persevered in. 

Where a large quantity of matter (pus) is discharged from the eye, 
or adheres to the edges of the lid, use as a wash Ware's Eye- water. 

R Blue vitriol, 1 oz. 

Armenian bole, . . . . 1 oz. 
Camphor, . . . . 1-4 oz. 

Grind to a fine powder, and project into 4 lbs. boiling water : 
let it stand till it is clear. Put one drachm of the clear liquor to 
one ounce of clear water for use, 



126 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



TUMOURS, EXCRESCENCES, &c. 



KING'S EVIL. 

Perhaps this is a subject that requires more elucida- 
tion than any other with which medical practitioners have 
so much to do. 

Scrofula is more terrible from being an hereditary dis- 
ease. A fine skin, a delicate complexion,. light blue eyes, 
a tumid unhealthy countenance, and a swelling of the upper 
lip, are so frequently observable in scrofulous patients, 
that such marks are deemed signs of this peculiarity of 
constitution. 

Scrofulous inflammation is attended with a soft swelling 
of the affected part. The swelling has at first a doughy 
feel, which in time it changes for that of elasticity or fluc- 
tuation. A circumscribed hardened margin surrounds the 
base of the tumour ; the skin is slightly red. As the swell- 
ing advances, it changes to a light purple colour, with small 
red veins running over its surface. The skin at length 
becomes thinner, and more dark-coloured at a particular 
point ; then bursts, and discharges a thin fluid, blended with 
a curdy matter. The redness of the skin continues, but the 
aperture enlarges in proportion as the tumour subsides, and 
thus a scrofulous ulcer is the result. 

The margins of this ulcer are smooth, obtuse, and over- 
lap the sore ; they are of a purple colour, and are rather 
hard and tumid ; the surface of the ulcer is of a light-red 
colour; the granulations are flabby and indistinct; the dis- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 127 

charge is thin, and contains flakes resembling curd. The 
pain is inconsiderable. 

Scrofulous ulcers frequently heal in one place and break 
out in another, and are generally worse in summer than in 
winter. 

There is no medicine which has the power of com- 
pletely correcting the peculiarity of constitution implied 
by the term scrofulous habit. 

Bark, sea air, and sea bathing, are among the means 
from which patients afflicted with scrofula derive the most 
relief. Burnt sponge and soda are useful. Cicuta is good 
when the sores are irritable. 

Salivation is always hurtful. Nitrous acid is sometimes 
serviceable : if, on trial, it does no good, it should be dis- 
continued. Vitriolic emetics, repeatedly exhibited, are said 
to be useful. Scrofulous swellings should never be opened. 

External applications are of little use. Before the tu- 
mours break, a piece of swansdown, to keep the part from 
suffering from change of temperature. After the tumour 
has broke, dress with No. 21, adding a little red precipi- 
tate. — See American Remedies : Oxalis Stricta Phitolacca 
Decandra, Triostium Perfoliatum. 

CANCER. 

Puckering of the skin ; lead colour ; feeling knotted 
and uneven ; darting pains ; the skin adhering to the parts 
beneath, distinguish a cancer before ulceration. 

Before the tumour arrives to a very large size, it com- 
monly ulcerates, throwing out some sloughs and a mixture 
of matter ; leaving a large chasm, the bottom of which is 
uneven and ragged ; the edges thick, hard, jagged, and 
painful. The ulcer sometimes spreads rapidly, with alarm- 
ing bleedings and great debility ; at other times, the ulcer 



128 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

seems to be healing for a while, but the new flesh shoots 
out fungus and bleeding lumps, which cannot be controlled. 
At length other parts are affected ; cough and difficulty of 
breathing come on, and death is welcome to the sufferer. 

Treatment. — Pressure, and equal temperature, by means 
of a piece of rabbit's skin, with the fur inside. Cicuta and 
nightshade applied to the tumour have sometimes relieved. 
Mercury and gum ammoniac are too irritating and danger- 
ous. — The knife, in good hands, is the safest, best, and 
should be the only remedy. Preparations of lead, arsenic, 
iron, barytes, and mercury, may be useful by medical pre- 
scription. Carrot and fermenting poultices. 

WHITLOW. 

A painful inflammatory affection on the finger, at or 
near the end. There are four kinds, distinguished by their 
depths in the parts of the finger. 

I. Seated immediately under the scarfskin, called a run- 
round. It may be for some time immersed in warm water, 
or a soft fomentation, repeated until it suppurates, when it 
may be opened with a lancet or scissors. 

II. Seated under the true skin, more painful than the 
firsts but requiring the same treatment. 

III. Seated under the muscles. 

IV. Seated on the bone. 

The two last species of whitlow should be treated with 
nothing but a surgeon's knife, and followed by a little lint 
a.nd spirit and water, or perhaps a little laudanum. The 
operation should be performed as soon as the second or 
third day. Any thing else will expose to the loss of bones, 
if not of limb ; at least a dreadful disease. — See American 
Remedies. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 129 

WHITE SWELLING. 

The large joints, such as the knee, ankle, and elbow, are 
most liable to attacks of this malady. 

In the first stage of this disease, the skin is not at all 
altered in colour. In most cases, the tumour is trivial, 
although the pain is severe, and felt commonly at one point, 
of the articulation. The swelling at first occupies the little 
hollows of the joints, but soon becomes general. The 
patient soon only touches the ground with the tip of his 
toes, and the limb becomes stiff and crooked. These are 
the appearances in the first stage. 

At length the diseased joint appears of an enormous 
size, the skin not much altered, but smooth and shining, 
with a few red veins running over it. Soon openings 
appear, and discharges from them ; sometimes these heal, 
but soon break out again. The health fails, and hectic 
fever comes on. 

Treatment. — A continual discharge is to be kept up by 
blisters from the part, first from one side, then the other, or 
issues may be used ; however, they are thought not so good. 
The common blistering salve may be used ; or bruised roots 
of the ranunculus, vulgarly called buttercups, (see Ameri- 
can Remedies.) will do equally well, and some think betteiv 

All other means are totally unequal to the cure of this 
formidable disease, and no time should be lost. The treat- 
ment here laid down is designed for the first stage only. 
After openings appear, life should be saved by loss of limb. 

DROPSY OF THE KNEE JOINT, 

Is known by a swelling of the part, in which pressure on 
the knee-pan swells out the hollows of the joint. 

Treatment. — Blistering, as directed for White Swelling; 
6* 



130 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

bandaging, moderate exercise, frictions, with flannel and 
vinegar, or a perpetual blister, as for White Swelling; mer- 
curial purges. Bandaging the joint often. Blisters are 
good. — Has been considered not difficult of cure. 

RICKETS. 

This disease shows itself in a large head, prominent 
forehead, protruded breast-bone, flattened ribs, big belly, 
emaciated limbs, great debility. 

Weakly children are most subject to this disease. The 
bones become soft, so that they will not bear the weight 
of the body without bending ; and even the muscles draw 
the body out of shape. 

Treatment. — Nourishing food, wine, bark, country air, 
cold or sea bathing; No. 22. Above all, pure air and 
exercise. 

ANEURISM, OR ENLARGED ARTERY. 

This tumour throbs and keeps time with the pulse or 
beating of the heart. If they burst or are wounded, death 
instantly follows, if the artery be large. 

A patient, on perceiving one, should immediately con- 
sult an experienced surgeon, that the disease may be 
removed by an operation, or directions obtained that may 
prevent accident. 

SCALD HEAD. 
This is an infectious disease, and consists of an eruption 
of pustules among the hair, containing a substance like 
honey, and soon forming large white or yellow scales ; the 
disease spreads over the head, and sometimes down the 
body, and is frequently mistaken for the itch. Unless the 
disease is attacked at its very commencement, the hair 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 131 

must be clipped, after having softened the scales and free- 
ing the roots of the hair by lard, oil, or soft poultices, 
This cannot be done at once, but by repeated operations 
it may be effected. 

External Applications. — Ointment or decoction of helle- 
bore, diluted citrine ointment, soap and water, or a solution 
of corrosive sublimate mentioned for the itch, 

PIMPLED FACE. 
If pimples on the face have been of long standing, they 
should be cured with caution. In the treatment, abstain 
from spirits ; wash with corrosive sublimate, as mentioned 
for the itch, adding as much soft water to weaken it. 
Fowler's Solution, six drops twice a-day, for some time, will 
cure. A dose of calomel should be premised. 

Note. — -The author is not unaware that, in prescribing corrosive 
sublimate and Fowler's Solution, he names two terrible poisons; 
nor should his readers be ignorant that he does the same when he 
mentions opium and tartar-emetic. 

The truth is, that all the powerful remedies which physicians 
use, are, when administered unskilfully, or in immoderate doses, 
strictly speaking, poisons. Yet, when the effects of a medicine 
are known, its proper dose ascertained, and its use established, we 
do not hesitate to prescribe it, but we must insist on the patient's 
keeping within our rules. 

In the present state of things, and under existing prejudices, more 
danger is to be apprehended from the general prescription of old 
remedies, than from those more lately introduced. Nobody fears 
being killed by blood-letting, antimony, pink, gamboge, or red pre- 
cipitate, because they have become familiar with them. 

P l ING-WORMS, 
May be communicated by contact. Use No, 23, and 
wash twice a-day ; at night rub on red precipitate and lard. 



132 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Gun-powder ground fine, moistened with vinegar or saliva, 
and rubbed on, will often cure them. 

WEN. 

The swellings popularly called wens, consist of a sac, 
filled sometimes with a fluid, at others a hard substance, 
most commonly with fat. 

The most successful applications for dispersing this kind 
of tumour, are such as contain common salt, sal ammoniac, 
&c. The best practice is the operation by which the wen 
is cut out ; but this must be done by a surgeon. 

MARKS. 

The marks on infants are either a varix or an aneurism, 
more frequently the former. Pressure, as directed for 
ganglion or weeping sinew, will commonly cure them, if 
applied in season* 

WARTS, 

Need no description. — Spirits of hartshorn and tincture 
cantharides are good applications. The warts should be 
moistened with one or the other every day, or lunar caus- 
tic moistened and rubbed on the wart. 

A strong decoction of oak bark, used as a wash, and often 
repeated, will certainly cure warts, if persevered in. 

Large warts should be cut out, unless cured with oak 
bark, as the irritating applications are apt to make fungus 
flesh shoot out of them. — See American Remedies, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 133 



NERVOUS AFFECTIONS. 



Loss of appetite ; distention of the stomach ; belchings ; 
nausea, heart burn ; costiveness, or looseness ; small slow 
pulse, quickened upon the least exertion ; palpitation ; 
tongue white and dry in the morning; limbs cold, sallow 
countenance. Senses depraved, or impaired; sadness; 
want of resolution ; timidity as to future events ; dread of 
impending evil ; particular attention to the health ; and, 
upon every unusual feeling, (which the patient is sure to 
have) a fear of imminent danger, and even death itself. 
Disturbed sleep and frightful dreams, 

" And all that misery's hand bestows 
To fill the catalogue of human woes." 

In respect of all these feelings and apprehensions, the patient 
is most obstinate in his belief and persuasion. 

Treatment.- — " Contraria contr arils mendentur" or in 
plain English, change every habit of life, and every train 
of thought in the mind. Abandon the use of opium, and 
the immoderate use of ardent spirit, and tobacco ; give up 
tea, and coffee, and chocolate ; go to bed, and get up, early ; 
use moderate exercise in the open air. Engage in new 
and interesting pursuits. 

It has been unfortunate for the medical profession, as 
well as patients themselves, that persons labouring under 
nervous disorders, have expected too much from the pre- 
scription of the physician, and the shop of the apothecary, 
what is only to be obtained from their own caution and 
circumspection : we thus find most of them ready and 
12 



134 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

greedy to swallow every medicine that is recommended; 
but stubborn and untractable in all that relates to breaking 
in upon established habits and customs ; whether of luxu- 
rious living, depraved appetites, indolence of body or mind, 
or indulgence of any kind, inconsistent with health. Many 
of these habits, it is true, are so far interwoven with the 
constitution, as to make some changes almost impracticable ; 
but as indisposition is so frequently brought on, or aggra- 
vated by the patients themselves, the physician cannot be 
too much on his guard, in demonstrating to them all that 
belongs to their own government and demeanor. The 
medical adviser, therefore, who observes the most dis- 
interestedness towards his friends, will often be the first 
man to be dismissed ; while the selfisbdissembler, however 
ignorant, will become a favourite, and engross the emolu- 
ment. On such an occasion, the virtuous mind of a liberal 
physician would know where to look for approbation. 

Nervous people are commonly endued with acute feel- 
ings ; liable to act from the first impression and impulse, 
and easily deceived by the designing and interested. And 
should they fall into the hands of a gossiping physician, or 
a wheedling apothecary, these personages become a kind of 
appendage to their establishment, if not fixtures in their 
houses. Being singular in the choice of their friends, they 
seldom mix in company • sedentary from habit, they go 
little abroad ; their amusements and recreations are thus 
limited, and such as possess the talent of bringing news, 
and telling a story, are at all times welcome guests. But 
as the table of their own complaints engrosses so much of 
their conversation, a medical gossip, before all others, is the 
most acceptable. Nevertheless, let the nervous and vale- 
tudinary beware how they trust their health and purse in 
such hands. — See Dr. Trotter on Nervous Temperament. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 135 

Exercise and recreation in the open air, even to labour 
and fatigue ; and always till it produce a moist skin, if not 
a profuse sweat. 

Riding on horseback, is universally acknowledged to be 
beneficial ; a journey should be taken, and if possible with 
some business, or object in view. 

Cold bathing, by a shower. Begin by setting a vessel 
of water in the morning, the south side of a building ; at 
11 o'clock the water will, in summer, have become tepid 
in it ; sprinkle the patient, at first with a small quantity ; 
rub him dry with flannel immediately. Every fair day, 
use the shower, and every day putting the vessel out later, 
and increasing the quantity ; soon the patient will bear the 
full dash of a pail of cold water. Now, if the patient has 
no longer a dread of cold water, he may plunge and swim ; 
and exercise in the cold bath increases greatly its bene- 
ficial effect. 

Mineral springs may be visited with advantage by many. 
Nervous people should clothe warm and guard against 
variable weather. For cold feet, flannel or broadcloth, 
pasted on the innermost sole of the shoe. Change of climate 
may sometimes be resorted to with great advantage. 

Medicine. — Nervous patients should begin with small 
doses. If an emetic is thought proper, ipecac should be 
used, or perhaps white vitriol. If a cathartic, rhubarb with 
a little salt of tartar, magnesia, or soda. 

To strengthen the digestive organs, bark, in powder, or 
infusion, or Whytt's tincture. Bitters, as quassia, colum- 
ba, gentian, and the like. 

The mineral acid, as sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic, 
dropped into sugar water. 

Iron in the mineral spring waters, or 22, or 24. 

Zinc is much praised by many. No. 7. — See American 
Remedies. 



136 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



COUGHS, ASTHMA, &c. 



CONSUMPTION. 

Symptoms. — Regular consumption usually begins with a 
short dry cough, so slight as to become habitual before it 
excites the attention of the patient. The breathing is more 
easily hurried by bodily motion ; the patient becomes 
languid and indolent, and gradually loses his strength ; the 
pulse is small, soft and quicker than usual ; at length, from 
some fresh exciting cause, the cough becomes more con- 
siderable, and is particularly troublesome during the night ; 
the breathing more anxious ; sense of straitness and oppres- 
sion of the chest is experienced ; and a raising from the 
lungs of a frothy mucus, and is most considerable in the 
morning; afterwards becoming more copious, viscid and 
opaque. 

The breathing becomes more and more difficult; the 
emaciation and weakness go on increasing ; pain arises in 
some part of the chest ; at first generally under the breast 
bone, but as the disease advances is felt in one or both sides, 
is increased by coughing, and is sometimes so acute as to pre- 
vent the patient from lying down on the affected side. The 
face now begins to flush ; the pulse becomes quick and 
hard ; the urine is high-coloured, and deposits a branny 
sediment ; the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, 
are affected with burning heat ; the tongue from being 
white, is preternaturally clean and red; the matter raised 
is now like that from a boil, dull white, or turned of yellow 
and green ; all the symptoms are increased toward evening, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 137 

and the fever assumes the hectic form. Hetic fever has 
two exacerbations in a day ; the first about noon and incon- 
siderable, and is soon followed by a remission ; the other in 
the evening which gradually increases till after midnight. 
Each exacerbation is commonly preceded by chills, and is 
terminated by a profuse perspiration, and the urine deposits 
a sediment. The appetite often now mends ; the white of 
the eyes assume a clear pearly colour ; during the rise of 
fever a red spot appears on each cheek; at other times the 
face is pale and dejected; food is vomited up;- a diarrhoea 
comes on, and generally alternates with drenching sweats ; 
the emaciation is extreme, the countenance sunk ; the cheeks 
prominent ; the eyes hollow and languid ; the hair falls off 
and the nails are hooked ; the feet and legs swell ; thrush 
in the throat. Still the appetite remains entire, and the 
patient natters himself with hopes of speedy recovery, and 
is often vainly forming distant projects of interest or amuse- 
ment, when death puts a period to his existence. 

Causes. — Hereditary predisposition, marked by long neck, 
prominent shoulders, narrow chest, slender fingers ; scrofu- 
lous constitution, known by fine clear skin, fair hair, deli- 
cate rosy complexion, large veins, thick upper lip, weak 
voice, and great sensibility. 

Caused also by some diseases ; as bleeding at lungs, 
pleurisy, catarrh, asthma, King's-evil, venereal disease, 
small-pox and measles ; the dust of certain trades, as of 
stone cutters, millers, &c. ; fumes of burning poisonous 
metals ; intemperance, profuse evacuations, natural or 
artificial ; depressing passions, damps, colds, &c. 

Treatment. — In the first stages, small and repeated bleed- 
ings, unless the patient be of a scrofulous habit. Gentle 
laxatives, as cassia, manna, Rochelle salts. 



138 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Mild perspiratives, as No. 8, No. 14, substituting volatile 
salts of hartshorn for the pearlash. 

Occasional use of emetics of white vitriol in doses of 
from two to five grains. 

Blisters, issues, and setons over the part affected, are 
highly serviceable. 

Cictua, beginning with doses of one grain, and increas- 
ing. Foxglove in tincture, beginning with fifteen drops in 
infusion of gentian, three times a day, gradually increased 
till the pulse is slower. 

At the same time may be taken three pills, (No. 24,) 
three times a-day. 

The diarrhoea may be relieved by opium and chalk. 
The cough by opium and liquorice. No. 25. 

A light and nutritive diet; the farinaceous vegetables, 
arrow-root, what some call consumption root, (its botanical 
name not ascertained;) milk. 

Removal to a warm climate. Moderate exercise, either 
by swinging, riding on horseback, or by sailing; carefully 
guarding against cold, by wearing flannel next the skin ; 
a sea voyage, but not the sea shore. The air at sea is 
favourable to consumptive patients ; but the change on the 
shore, in consequence of the sea and land breezes, unfa- 
vourable. So that inland situation, or to be fairly out of 
sight of land, should be the object of a hectic patient. 

COLDS. 

A common cold is produced by suppressed perspiration, 
and is cured as soon as an equable perspiration is again 
restored. 

Abstaining from animal food ; drinking freely on going 
to bed, of cold water or tepid herb drinks, as hoarhound 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 139 

tea, motherwort, flax-seed and tansy ; and lying in bed late 
of a morning will commonly loosen a cold. 
If the symptoms run high, see Influenza. 

CROUP, OR RATTLES. 

This disease, generally of children, creeps on imper- 
ceptibly, with hoarse dry cough ; wheezing ; at first the 
breathing sounds like blowing through muslin ; then a rat- 
tling in the throat; soon it is like the croaking of a fowl 
when caught in the hand. 

Treatment. — Emetics of ipecac, and oxymel of squills 
between; the former as often as every two hours at least; 
warm bath often repeated ; a blister put between the shoul- 
der blades ; calomel two grains, doses every two hours. 

Strong mercurial ointment plasters, under the knees. — 
See American Remedies : Sanguinaria Canadensis. 

Note. — In diseases, terrible as the last described, and many 
others, incident to human nature, no time should be lost; but 
medical aid obtained as quick as possible ; yet something should 
be done while the physician is coming, and more especially if he 
cannot come at all. 

In a work of this kind, most should be written on the more 
manageable diseases. 

MUMPS. 

This is commonly a mild disease,* requiring only that 
the patient avoid all causes of cold. 

Should fever appear, treat it as simple inflammatory 
fever. 

*The philanthropic Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, said, that there 
was no disease so trifling but at one time or other it had proved 
an avenue to death ; and there are times, or rather cases, in which 
this disease puts on a frightful aspect, 



140 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

If swelling of the testicles in men, and the breasts in 
women, or delirium supervene, apply blisters to the head, 
mustard paste to the feet, and fomentations to the parts 
affected. 

INFLUENZA. 

An epidemic cold ; whole countries are sometimes affect- 
ed with it. It has been thought contagious, but its pro- 
gress is too quick, and its effects too general. Contagion is 
slow. It seems to depend on a peculiar state of the air, 
and sweeps whole nations at a blast. 

Symptoms, — Fever, weight and pain in the head ; oppres- 
sion of the chest, and difficulty of breathing ; sense of 
fulness and stopping of the nose ; watery, inflamed eyes ; 
chills and flushes ; soreness of the jaws and wind-pipe ; 
cough; pain in the chest; shooting pains in the head and 
back ; running of a scalding fluid from the nose, &c. 

If the fever is inflammatory, spare diet of vegetables, 
salts, saline mixture No. 14, and antimonial wine as a 
perspirative, teas of bran, flax-seed, thoroughwort in small 
doses. After the fever subsides, oxymel of squills, and 
laudanum. If the fever has symptoms of typhus, with 
prostration of strength, give wine whey with hartshorn, 
warm wine and snake root, No. 11, also opium, No. 9, or 
10, more especially in old people. Generous diet, moderate 
exercise. In the course of treatment, snake-bite, thorough- 
wort, motherwort, sorrel tea, elecampane, &c. If the 
symptoms run high in either case, blisters may be used 
advantageously ; so may mustard paste to the feet, warm 
drinks, and No. 8. In the advanced stage, No. 17 is an 
excellent remedy. 

ASTHMA. 
Symptoms. — Paroxysms generally coming on in the night, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. - 141 

in which there is frequent and extremely anxious breath- 
ing, with wheezing noise and tightness across the chest ; 
propensity to cough; with sense of immediate suffocation, 
starting up from an horizontal posture, as if to get air; 
Ihe face turgid, or livid, or pale and shrunk. 

Towards morning the patient is relieved by raising freely 
from the lungs, and falls asleep. The tightness of the chest 
remains for some days, with a return of the distress at night. 

Treatment. — If the pulse is full, bleed, otherwise not. 
Purge with calomel 6 grains, rhubard 15 grains. An emetic 
of ipecac will break up the fit ; and if followed with a pill 
at night, of opium, calomel, and ipecac, each one grain, the 
paroxysm will not return. 

Some asthmatics find relief in smoking tobacco, others in 
smoking stramonium. Lobelia inflatahas lately come into 
great repute for the cure of asthma. A tea-spoonful of 
the infusion, or tincture, repeated till it vomits, or sweats. 

Observe a light nutritious diet ; warm clothing ; avoid 
damps and wet feet; use regular exercise. — See American 
Remedies. 

HOOPING COUGH. 

Convulsive strangulating cough, with hooping, relieved 
by vomiting. Contagious. 

Treatment. — Emetics given frequently, will moderate the 
symptoms. 

Keep the bowels open with mild laxatives. 

Change of air. Riding on horse-back. — See American 
Remedies. 

MEASLES. 

Fever, cough, hoarseness, difficulty cf breathing, sneez- 
ing, sense of weight in the head ; nausea or vomiting ; 



142 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

drowsiness, dulness of the eyes, and flow of hot tears ; 
running from the nose, itching of the face. 

On the fourth day, small red pimples appear, first on the 
face, spreading over the whole body ; the pimples hardly 
elevated above the surrounding skin, but by the touch are 
found to be a little prominent. On the fifth or sixth day, 
they turn brown, and disappear with the peeling off of the 
scarfskin. A diarrhoea often appears with the turning of 
the measles. 

Treatment. — Abstinence from animal food, light vegeta- 
ble diet ; a moderately cool ro§m, temperature to be regu- 
lated by the patient's feelings ; carefully guarding against 
sudden changes. 

Saline purgatives. Solution of cream tartar ; sorrel tea ; 
sweating with No. 8, warm herb drinks. 

If the symptoms run high, with pleuritic symptoms, 
bleed, and blister the chest. If the eruption suddenly re- 
cede, put the feet in warm water while lying in bed ; apply 
mustard paste to the breast and feet. Blister between the 
shoulders. Warm wine whey with hartshorn, tea of Vir- 
ginia snakeroot, &c. 

Hoarseness and cough, may be palliated by bran-tea, 
flax-seed tea after the fever abates ; these symptoms may 
be relieved by oxymel of squills, and opium, or No. 17. 
Bloodroot made into a tincture by shaving the root, filling 
a phial half with the shavings, and adding spirit. 

If paleness or purple spots appear, with prostration of 
strength, and other symptoms of typhus, treat as in typhus, 
with cordials, wine, bark and snakeroot. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 143 



NON-CLASSIFIED DISEASES. 



SMALL-POX. 

Fever, eruption of red pimples on the third day, which 
on the eighth contain matter, and, drying, fall off in crusts. 

Formerly, a great proportion of every medical work was 
religiously devoted to this disease ; and till less than a cen- 
tury since, one in seven, at least, of the persons born in 
England, died of the small-pox. It is fortunately now un- 
necessary even to describe this loathsome and fatal disease. 

COW-POCK. 

The cow-pock consists of a single vesicle, which appears 
on the spot where the vaccine matter is inserted. The 
colour is a dull white, but it is red at the edges. It con- 
tains a fluid clear as crystal, about the eighth or ninth day. 
A redness or inflammation of the skin spreads to a little 
distance from it, about the size of half a dollar. This be- 
gins to fade on the eleventh or twelfth day, and the vesicle 
becomes brown, and presently is covered with a glossy 
harsh scab, which discovers, when it falls off, a permanent 
scar. 

In boys, it is of little consequence where the matter is 
inserted, and the arm is as good as any part ; but in girls, 
(children) it is better to inoculate on the outside of the 
thigh, a little above the knee. Parents cannot too gener- 
ally know, that the arm may inflame, and yet the vesicle 
may not be of the genuine kind. If the progress be differ- 



144 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ent from the usual course, then there is always a doubt, 
lest it may not give security against the small-pox. If, for 
example, there be no inflamed circle at all, or if, on the 
other hand, it appear early, for instance on the fifth or 
sixth day, and especially if the vesicle be not round or oval, 
but jagged and irregular, and contain on or before the 
eighth day, a turbid white, instead of a clear fluid, it will 
be necessary to re-inoculate. It is possible the vesicle may 
be of the genuine kind, and the constitution not affected 
by it. This cannot be determined by appearances or symp- 
toms, but it may by a very innocent and slight test. If on 
the morning of the sixth day, a second inoculation be per- 
formed on the other arm or leg, it will advance quickly, 
and become surrounded with a red circle, nearly as soon 
as the first vesicle. If this trial be neglected, we have still 
two other methods of determining whether the constitution 
be properly altered, viz. by inoculating a second time with 
the kine-pock matter, any time after the child has fully 
recovered from the disease. If he has had the genuine 
cow-pock, in either case, the scratch only inflames a little, 
it soon heals, and no other effect is produced. No child 
can be presumed safe without having tested the operation 
in one of the above ways. 

If it be asked why every parent does not re-inoculate, as 
a test, it can only be answered, that it is from the same 
cause which makes many neglect insuring their property, 
namely, a belief that there is no great chance of its taking 
fire. 

It has been urged as an objection to the cow-pock, that 
it produces cutaneous diseases afterwards, but this is 
groundless. 

With regard to the treatment of cow-pock, I have only 
to observe, that the part should, when the red circle forms, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 145 

be frequently dusted with flour or chalk ; and after the 
vesicle breaks, the same should be continued, in order to 
form a crust on the sore, which is much better than dress- 
ing it with ointment. 

It is to be regretted, since inoculation of this disease has 
become fashionable, that ignorant people should undertake 
to propagate it; as no one but a physician can decide 
whether any individual case is of the genuine, or spurious 
kind. With a view to caution those who are willing to 
incur the responsibility of inoculating with vaccine matter, 
I here give what Good has inserted in his Definition and 
Arrangements of Diseases, lately published in London. 

Species. 

Vaccinia. — -Cow-pock ; vesicles few, or a single one, 
•confined to the part affected ; circular, semi-transparent, 
pearl-coloured ; depressed in the middle, surrounded with 
a, red areola. (Circle somewhat broad.) 

Vaccinia. — Nativia< Natural Cow-pock ; vesicles on the 
hands, or such parts as have been in contact with the 
affected udder of a cow ; of a bluish tint ; the fluid at first 
limpid; afterwards opaque and purulent, (like pus;) often 
with enlargement of the axillary glands (kernels in the 
armpits,) and considerable fever. A preventive of Small- 
pox. 

Vaccinia. — Spuria. Spurious kind,; vesicles less uni- 
formly circular ; purulent from the first ; without blueish 
tint ; with little or no central depression. Affords no secu- 
rity against the Small-pox. 

Vaccinia. — Inserta. Genuine Inoculated Cow -pock ; ve- 
sicles single, confined to the puncture ; cellaulose ; bluish, 
brown in the middle ; fluid clear and colourless to the last ; 
7 IS 



146 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

concreting into a hard, dark-coloured scab after the twelfth 
day. 

Note. — This is the only variety which "should be propagated in 
this country as a preventive of Small-pox. 

Vaccinia* — Degener. Degenerate Inoculated Cow-pox T 
JBlane ; vesicle amorphous (imperfect,) uncertain; fluid 
often straw-coloured or purulent ; areola absent, indistinct, 
or confused with the vesicle; scab formed prematurely. — • 
Affords little or no security against the Small-pox. 

CHICKEN-POX. 

Slight fever, pimples bearing some resemblance to those 
of small-pox ; scaling off in three or four days. 

This disease is of so trivial a nature as seldom to need 
the aid of medicine. Gentle laxatives and cool regimen is 
all that is necessary. 

THRUSH, OH CANKER. 

The mouth becomes redder than usual ; tongue swelled 
and rough ; white specks or spats invade the palate, 
almonds of the ear, and inside of the cheeks, gums, and 
jaws. The disease sometimes spreads to the 'stomach and 
bowels : they frequently disappear in a day or two, and a 
new crop succeeds. But this is more favourable than to 
have the first crop continue. While the spots remain 
white or yellow, and the parts between of a florid red, and 
moist, there is no danger. But if there is hiccough, oppres- 
sion, pain in the stomach, and sense of suffocation, and 
the spots turn brown or black, and great prostration of 
strength, it is nearly allied to Malignant Quinsy, and to 
be treated as such. 

Treatment * — Emetics of ipecac ; gentle laxatives of man- 
na, rhubarb, oil, calomel in small doses, copious emollient 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 147 

clysters; No. 11, used as a gargle; touch the spots with 
borax and cream. If the stomach and bowels seem affected, 
a powder of borax, nut galls, chalk or charcoal, in equal 
parts, five or six grains of which may be taken every four 
hours, and oftener, if it does not produce costiveness. 

If the strength fails, wine, bark, No. 11, should be taken, 
with nourishing food. Canker-root, oak bark and alum, 
elm, bass-wood, and upland violets, are all useful in the 
course of this disease. 

There is a chronic kind of canker, which yields to emet- 
ics and No. 7. 

NETTLE-RASH. 

An eruption on the skin, resembling that produced by 
the stinging of nettles, whence its name; suddenly appear- 
ing and vanishing, or changing its seat. The part affected 
is frequently considerably swelled. In the eruption appear 
little white lumps, resembling bites or stings of insects, 
sometimes long wheals, like the strokes of a whip-lash. 
These lumps or wheals do not contain any fluid, and itch 
intolerably. All the symptoms increase at night. The 
parts which have been affected with this disease, peel off 
branny scales on recovery. 

Treatment. — Laxatives, salts, cream tartar, calomel in 
small doses with rhubarb. Nitrous acid beverage ; perspi- 
ratives, as sorrel tea, snake-bite, &c. Cool vegetable diet. 
If it strike in, and occasion nausea and distress, teas of 
peppermint, hyssop, or rosemary, &c. ; wine whey, with 
hartshorn. 

DYSENTERY. 

This disease sometimes comes on with cold shiverings 
and fever ; at others, the complaints of the bowels first 



148 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

show themselves. Costiveness, flatulence of the bowels^ 
severe gripings, frequent inclinations to stool, with small 
fetid evacuations of slime and blood ; or a fluid resembling 
beef brine ; loss of appetite ; nausea and vomiting ; quick 
and weak pulse ; sense of burning heat, and intolerable 
bearing down of the parts ; febrile heat and dry skin ; hic- 
cough ; livid spots on the breast, and not unfrequently 
fatal termination. 

Favourable symptoms. — Moist skin ; stools becoming easy 
and natural ; sediment in the urine ; strength not much 
diminished. 

Treatment. — An emetic of ipecac or white vitriol, fol- 
lowed by the saline mixture, No. 14> 

Cathartics, calomel, oil r manna, Epsom or Glaub. salts* 
Ipecac in small doses to sweat, but not to vomit ; No. 8. 
Clysters of mutton broth, arrow-root, or starch, in either 
of which put from sixty to one hundred drops of laudanum, 
often repeated. Mucilaginous drinks : sassafras twigs,, 
dandelion, arrow-root, flax-seed, and tansy. 

Fomentations to the bowels, of poppy-heads, burdock 
or stramonium leaves, with camphorated spirit ; frictions- 
with No. B. Blisters. 

Opium, with antimonial or ipecac wine, or Nos. 8, 9, 10. 

If symptoms of malignancy supervene, and the strength 
flags, bark and snakeroot ; wine whey, with hartshorn ; 
quassia, columba, angustura, and simouraba barks. Ni- 
trous acid with opium. 

If the disease become chronic, opium, oak-bark, and 
fennel-seed. 

APOPLEXY. 
Symptoms. — The usual forerunners of apoplexy are gid- 
diness ; pain and swimming of the head ; loss of memory ; 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 149 

drowsiness; noise in the ears ; night-mare; flux of tears; 
laborious breathing. "When plethoric old people notice in 
themselves these symptoms, they should endeavour to pre- 
vent a fit, by bleeding, slender diet, and opening medicines. 

In the fit, if the patient does not die suddenly, the face 
is bloated and red ; the blood-vessels turgid ; the eyes 
are prominent and fixed ; breathing difficult and snoring ; 
the excrement and urine are voided involuntarily ; some- 
times vomiting. 

Treatment. — The patient should be perfectly easy and 
cool ; the head raised, and the feet hanging down ; the 
clothes should be loosened, but the garters tightened. Now, 
if his pulse beats strong, he should be bled freely, other- 
wise not. Clysters with oil, and two table-spoonfuls of 
salt. Blisters between the shoulders and on the calves of 
the legs. Drink warm tamarind-water, or cream tartar 
whey ; a potion of salts. 

If the pulse be weak, do the same ; except for drink, 
give warm wine or mustard-whey, adding hartshorn. Omit 
blood-letting. 

PALSY. 

Loss of voluntary motion or sensation, or, both in certain 
parts of the body ; often with sleep, and slow, soft pulse, 
preceded by universal torpor ; giddiness ; sense of weight 
and pain in the head ; loss of memory ; sense of creeping, 
numbness, and pricking in the part afterward to be affected. 
Often preceded by apoplexy. 

Causes. — Any thing which impairs the nervous power, 
whether it acts on the brain itself, or injures the nerves in 
their course. 

Treatment. — If the attack is sudden, with symptoms of 
apoplexy, treat it as directed for that disease: 



J 50 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

In debilitated constitutions, and in old age, with the head 
little affected, powerful stimulants will be proper, as mus- 
tard, horse-radish, spirit, and salt of hartshorn ; tincture of 
guaiac, ether, electricity, &c. 

Frictions with flour of mustard, spirit of turpentine. 

Tincture cantharides ; flesh-brush ; blisters ; whipping 
with nettles ; exercise ; warm and salt-water bath. 

Light nutritious, diet. 

In palsy from exposure to lead, balsams of Peru and 
capivi ; mercury in small doses. 

In palsy of the tongue, chew pyrethrum. 

EPILEPSY, OR FALLING SICKNESS. 

Sudden falling, with strong convulsive motion of the 
muscles of the limbs and whole body, and spasms of the 
face and eyes ; frothing at the mouth ; insensibility ; fol- 
lowed by sound sleep. 

Causes. — Worms, teething, acute pain, violent passions, 
intemperance, hereditary predisposition ; often continued 
by habit. 

The cure is seldom effected, except by medical pre- 
scription. The medicines are, mercury, zinc, nitrate of 
silver. Of late, stramonium is much used. The stomach 
and bowels should be first cleared: afterwards, one-fourth 
or one half a grain of the seed, ground to a powder with 
chalk, may be given twice a-day, gradually increasing the 
dose, till the pupil of the eye is somewhat dilated. Keeping 
the patient at that point will frequently cure the disease. 

ST. VITUS' DANCE. 

Symptoms. — Convulsive motions of one side of the body. 
A kind of lameness in one of the legs, which the person 
draws after him in an odd and ridiculous manner; nor can 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 151 

he hold the arm of the affected side one moment still : if he 
is desirous of drinking, he uses many gesticulations before 
he can carry the cup to his mouth, when he pours the liquor 
down his throat with great haste, as if to divert the by- 
standers. The eye loses its lustre and intelligence, and 
the countenance is pale and vacant ; the flesh wastes, and 
the appetite and digestion are impaired. 

Treatment. — Purgative medicines. Calomel and jalap ; 
Nos. 5, 12 ; rhubarb and iron ; No. 22. Cold bathing ; 
good food ; warm clothing, &c. 

A physician may prescribe nitrate of silver, stramonium, 
&c. — See Epilepsy. 

NIGHT-MARE. 

Such as are subject to this affection, should avoid all 
gloomy reflections ; tell no dreams, but keep the mind as 
cheerful and easy as possible ; take exercise in the open 
air ; eat light suppers ; use cold bathing, if it can be borne ; 
cordials, hartshorn, rhubarb. Iron, No. 22. 

Keep the bowels free with rhubarb and cream tartar. 

PILES. 

In this disease, the patient should use cool diet, consisting 
of bread, milk, vegetables, and broths ; drink beer, infusions 
of mucilaginous plants, of mallows, sassafras twigs, &c. 

Medicine. — Balsam capivi, from twenty to fifty drops 
morning and evening. Emollient clysters ; laxatives of 
cream tartar ; grind together one part rhubarb with three 
parts cream tartar, and take a tea-spoonful in molasses 
occasionally, to prevent costiveness. 

Many have, seemingly, cured themselves by attending 
to the proper use of this remedy. 

If the gut protrudes, it is common to put the patient on 



152 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

his face, and make long- continued pressure with a soft 
cloth dipped in milk and water. The compiler has seen 
cold water succeed where warm water had failed. 

Where the common means fail, an emetic has caused it 
to return. 

Regularity in going to stool has a wonderful effect in 
preventing and curing many troublesome complaints of 
the bowels, and particularly so in this. — See American 
Remedies. 

COLIC. 

Pain in the belly, and twisting round the navel \ vomit- 
ing ; costiveness. 

Treatment.— Warm bath, and fomentations to the bowels. 
Opium, till it relieves the pain, in clysters or by the mouth. 
To stop vomiting, effervescing mixture. No. 14. 

Cathartics ; calomel in full doses, eight or ten grains 
every four hours ; with oil, and milder laxatives frequently 
interposed. 

R. Jalap, rhubarb, and senna, each one drach. 
Manna, half an ounce. 
Fennel-seed, a table-spoonful. 

Pour on three gills of water, boiling ; let it steep, and strain ; 
add pearl-ash half a drachm, cream tartar one drachm, and 
sweeten with molasses. Give a wine-glass full every hour 
till it operates. Clysters with oil and salts : they should 
be bulky, and often repeated. 

In colic, much depends on constantly plying the patient 
with the means above directed, no part of which should be 
neglected, and more especially the opium and calomel. 

External means should not be forgotten : fomentations, 
and applications of burdock-leaves heated upon a fire-shov- 
el ; mustard paste ; and sometimes blisters are necessary. 



HOUSE SURGEON AXD PHYSICIAN. 153 

Such applications relieve pain, relax spasms, and promote 
an equal motion of the bowels. — See American Remedies. 

The muscular coat of the intestines is sometimes affected 
painfully, perhaps with rheumatic inflammation. This 
occurs in those colics which are not cured by cathartic 
remedies. This species of disease may be known by a 
concurrence of the following 

Symptoms. — Tension and soreness of the abdomen, equal 
to that of genuine inflammation of the bowels, though not 
increased by an erect posture, and the patient is more apt to 
seek relief by change of position ; excessively acute pains, 
travelling slowly round the body, yet not quitting one place 
to appear in another, as does pure spasm, but occupying in 
succession every point of the intestines. 

This painful disease may last for months, and during its 
continuance the bowels may be lax and costive alternately, 
or even natural as to discharges. 

The soreness and tension seem to depend on that spe- 
cies of inflammation mentioned in the first paragraph of 
this article, and the wandering pains on a natural effort of 
the parts toward healthy vermicular motion, yet a failure 
seems to take place, and an uncertainty whether the attempt- 
ed motion shall be forward or retrograde. 

Irregularity of life, late hours, hard riding, with exposure 
to sudden changes of weather, will bring on this disease. 

Emetics of ipecac, followed by opium and gentle laxa- 
tives, will break up the disease ; and, 

Avoiding all the causes, and wearing a broad elastic 
w T oollen belt will keep it off. 

I have added this, because the patient, in such a case, 
will surely call his disease colic, yet will look in vain for 
relief among the appropriate remedies for genuine colic. 

■7* 



154 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

COSTTVENESS. 

In this disease, the excrementitious contents of the bow- 
els are retained an inordinate length of time. 

This may happen in firm, rigid constitutions, in which 
cases the matter accumulates in large, hard, dry masses, 
with little or no pain ; or, in slender, weakly habits, attend- 
ed with irritation, when the matter discharged is small, 
hard, in button-like divisions, scarcely affording relief. 

The treatment of the two species of disease now under 
consideration, must vary as do the causes, and the consti- 
tutions in which they severally obtain. 

In the former case, use nalts, calomel, nauseating doses 
of ipecac and antimonials ; in the latter, warm aromatic 
purgatives, as aloetics, Hull's pow^der, picra, &c. 

Those who would avoid this troublesome complaint, 
should observe regularity in going to stool, and this par- 
ticularly, after the fullest meal of the day. 

There is one thing further to be said, which may be of 
consequence to those who have not studied the animal econ- 
omy, viz. : There is a disposition in all the hollow mus- 
cles, (like the stomach, bowels, bladder, &c.) to assume 
regular periodical movements : and defying compulsion 
during the interval. Witness the process of parturition, 
and even tartar emetic will not make the stomach vomit, 
but at periods of from ten to twenty minutes, and the inter- 
val is left to repose ; so the bowels will move with very 
little assistance from the voluntary muscles, provided time 
is given them, and a proper attention is paid to the daily 
intimations of nature. 

Ill-timed straining at stool, does mischief in more w r ays 
than one. It not only deranges the excretory function gen- 
erally ; hinders the return of the blood from the lower parts 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 155 

through the veins, and thus causes Piles ; but it tends to 
open the joinings of the abdominal muscles, and so paves 
the way to Rupture.-— See article Rupture. 

I would not be understood here to deny the agency of the 
diaphragm and abdominal muscles in vomiting and dejec- 
tion ; what I intend, is to deprecate ill-timed straining. 

CHOLERA. 

Violent and frequent vomiting, and purging of billious 
matter ; frequent, small, unequal pulse ; thirst and heat, 
followed by cold sweats ; great anxiety; spasms of the 
belly and calves of the legs ; sometimes universal convul- 
sions, hiccough, and death in a few hours. 

Causes. — Excessive heat, and sudden changes ; cool 
damp evenings, after hot days ; indigestible food ; poisons ; 
violent passions. 

Treatment. — Copious draughts of chicken broth, or bar- 
ley water, or arrow-root tea. Emollient clysters, and those 
with nourishment. 

Opium in large doses, often repeated, by the mouth or 
in clysters, or rubbed on the bowels. Fomentations to the 
belly, No. 14. Warm wine whey, and other cordials; 
hartshorn, &c. Nourishment, as the stomach will bear. — 
See American Remedies. 

DIARRHOEA. 
Copious and frequent discharges by stool ; each motion 
is usually preceded by murmuring of the bowels, and 
griping; sense of weight, wind, and uneasiness in the lower 
belly, which ceases for a time after a discharge ; frequently 
sickness and vomiting ; pale, sallow countenance ; thirst, 
bitter taste in the mouth, yellowness of the tongue ; dry 
rigid skin ; if the disease continues, great emaciation. 



156 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Causes. — Cold applied to the surface of the body ; sup- 
pressed perspiration ; indigestible food, imprudent use of 
purgatives \ worms ; unripe fruit, &c. 

Treatment.-— Emetics of ipecac. 

Laxatives of rhubarb, calomel, magnesia, castor-oil, salts, 
saline mixture, No. 14. Solution of pearlashes \ chalk- 
water, No. 8. Opiates, lime-water, and milk. 

Mucilages, dandelion, barley-water, arrow-root, rice- 
water, elm-bark, cat-tail flag-root, brier-roots. 

Tonics. Rhubarb in small doses ; iron-filings, No. 22. 
Columba, bark and wine, Virginia snakeroot. 

Nourishing diet. Lamb, chicken, calves-feet jelly; 
brandy and water, wine whey, hartshorn, &c. 

As soon as the bowels are cleansed, oak-bark, and fen- 
nel-seeds : an infusion with milk and sugar is an excellent 
remedy. — See American Remedies. 

TYMPANY. 

Elastic distention of the bowels, not readily yielding to 
pressure, and sounding, when stricken, like a drum ; croak- 
ing of the bowels ; costiveness ; wasting of the flesh ; no 
fluctuation of water, which distinguishes it from dropsy. 

Causes. — Weakened bowels, from any cause ; from er- 
rors in diet ; exposure to cold ; intemperance, &c. 

Treatment. — Evacuate the air, by seeds of motherwort, 
cassia, anise, &c. Opium, fetid a ; and drawing it off with 
a clyster pipe, and rubbing the bowels with the hand dip- 
ped in oil, with camphor dissolved in it. This should be 
frequently repeated. Clysters of opium and motherwort. 
Laxative pills, of equal parts of myrrh and aloes. 

Bitters, exercise, digestible food. Leaves of burdock, 
horse-radish, or meadow cabbage, externally applied to 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 157 

the bowels, and frequently renewed. Frazeri, harvest- 
weed root, (asclepias tuberosa.) — See American Remedies, 

DROPSY. 

A preternatural collection of a watery fluid in some of 
the cavities, or diffused over the whole body, the latter pitting 
on pressure of the finger. In this disease, the urine is high- 
coloured and scanty • costiveness ; insatiable thirst. Skin 
pale and sallow, unless it is inflamed, when it is red, 
smooth, and shining ; cough ; slow fever. 

Treatment. — Evacuate the fluid, by Emetics of tartar 
emetic, ipecac, squills. 

Cathartics, jalap and calomel No. 5, or cream tartar, 
three parts, rhubarb one part. Or No. 26. 

Diuretics. Medicines which promote discharges by 
urine, cream-tartar, acetite of potash, sweet spirits of nitre ; 
foxglove, junipers, horse-radish, wintergreen, &c. 

Tonics. Friction, bandages, as for ulcers of the legs ; 
exercise, cold bathing. Bitters, wine, bark and iron, No. 
11. Nos. 22 and 24. — See American Remedies. 

DROPSY OF THE CHEST. 

All the symptoms of dropsy, except the swelling, which 
in this disease is at first confined to the chest. In addition, 
impatience of horizontal position, loss of breath, numbness 
of the arms ; starting from sleep, frightful dreams \ palpi- 
tation of the heart ; fluctuation of water in the chest. 

Treatment. — Same as in dropsy. May be tapped by an 
operating surgeon. — See American Remedies. 

WATER IN THE HEAD. 
This is a fatal disease of children, and unfortunately of 
very frequent occurrence. It may come on spontaneously, 
14 



158 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

or succeed teething, disordered bowels, sudden healing of 
ulcers of the head and skin. 

Symptoms. — Pain in the head, vomiting occasionally. 
This state lasts some days or weeks. Now the child com- 
plains seriously, the bowels are costive ; skin hot ; pulse 
unequal and quick \ interrupted sleep, as if by dreams 3 
asleep or awake, the child keeps up a continual moaning : 
this is sometimes the first symptom \ and if accompanied 
by inability to support the head erect, should alarm the 
parents ; cheeks flushed, the rest of the skin pale ; no 
appetite ; he starts frequently ; grinds his teeth, picks his 
nose, tosses his hands over his head, and screams when 
apparently slumbering. 

In a few days the pupil of the eyes dilate, a squinting 
comes on \ the pulse is slow and intermitting ; complains 
less, but moans and screams most piteously. Presently the 
pulse becomes quick ; one side is convulsed, the other pal- 
sied ; convulsions come on ; the eyes are glazed ; breath- 
ing noisy ; stupor, shrunk features, and death. 

Treatment. — Whenever a child complains of symptoms 
of the first stage of this complaint, no time is to be lost ; 
use brisk purges of calomel ; apply leeches to the temples, 
and repeat this if the symptoms return. Quiet, and food 
of the lightest kind. 

Shave the head, and apply cold vinegar or a blister. 

If these do not help, the symptoms become more urgent, 
and the danger is great ; and it is to be feared nothing will 
avail. Attention to cleanliness, beef tea, arrow-root, and 
ripe fruit for food ; gruel, lemonade, and wine and water, 
for drink ; holding the hand gently on the head, will some- 
what relieve the sufferer. This done, all is done. — -See 
American Remedies, 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 159 

INSANITY. 

Erroneous judgment from imaginary perceptions, attend- 
ed with agreeable emotions ; or a perception of false rela- 
tions ; exciting the passions, and producing unreasonable 
actions or motions, with terrors of mind in pursuing a 
train of thought ; and in running from one train of thought 
to another • attended with incoherent and absurd speech, 
called raving ; violent impatience of either contradiction or 
restraint, without fever. 

Maniacs have frequently lucid intervals, hence called 
lunatics. 

Treatment. — Much depends on gaining the confidence of 
the maniac, by gentle, conciliating treatment ; or more fre- 
quently, by inspiring awe and dread of correction, temper- 
ed with mildness and humanity. Diverting the attention ; 
frequent change of scene ; spare low diet ; bleeding, if the 
patient be plethoric and the attack recent. 

Purgatives, and emetics, No. 4, 5, 15, and 26. 

Henbane, hemlock, and stramonium, but not without 
advice. 

Cold bathing, blisters to the nape of the neck. 

If there is great debility, nourishing food \ bitters, bark, 
wine and iron. — See American Remedies. 

JAUNDICE. 

Languor, inactivity ; loss of appetite ; yellow colour of 
the skin, especially of the eyes ; bitter taste in the mouth ; 
yellow tinge communicated to the linen by the urine ; white 
or clay-coloured stools ; dryness of the skin ; and if long 
protracted, ulcers, bleedings, and all the symptoms of the 
scurvy. 



160 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Treatment. — Warm bath, and fomentations to the upper 
part of the belly. 

Gentle emetics when the pain is not acute, No. 4. 

Cathartics, No. 5, 15, 26. 

Opium to relieve pain. 

Soda, soap, raw eggs, turpentine, ether. 

Bitters, columba, quassia, frazeri, bark of white-wood 
root, box- wood bark, prickly ash, &c. 

If the disease assumes the appearance of scurvy, treat it 
as such. — See American Remedies. 

SCURVY. 

Extreme debility, complexion pale and bloated ; spongy 
gums, livid spots ; breath offensive ; swelling of the feet 
and legs ; bleeding, from various parts ; fetid urine ; stools 
extremely offensive. 

Treatment. — Pay the utmost attention to cleanliness ; 
vegetable food of every description ; vegetable acids, limes, 
lemons, apples, &c. 

Fermented liquors, beer, cider, wine, &c. 

Mineral acids in beverage, sorrel tea, mustard whey, 
tamarind water, arrow-root tea, gargles of oak bark, No. 11, 
and steams of vinegar. Pains relieved by opium, fomenta- 
tions of vinegar and water, pure air, regular exercise, bit- 
ters, bark, iron, &c. 

Stimulants. Horse-radish, mustard, cabbage. — -See 
American Remedies. 

ITCH. 

The Itch is a contagious eruption of small pustules, with 
a hard hot base, and watery-looking top. Too well known 
to need a minute descrip ion. 

The best application is an ointment of sulphur and lard. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 161 

When sulphur fails, or is not employed on account of its 
smell, other remedies have been used ; such as strong de- 
coction of juniper berries, or of hellebore, or solution of ten 
grains of corrosive sublimate of mercury, in a pint of rose- 
leaf tea ; these are to be applied as a wash to the part 
three times in a-day. 

An ointment of hellebore, or of twenty grains of corro- 
sive sublimate, ground into two ounces of lard, have been 
used. 

Great attention to cleanliness, and frequent washings in 
soap and water, are necessary during the cure. Frequent 
change of linen throughout. — See American Remedies. 

WORMS. 

Unwholesome food, with bad digestion, seem to be the 
principal causes of worms. They appear most frequently 
in those of a relaxed habit, and whose bowels contain 
a great quantity of mucus or slimy matter. Children 
are most subject to suffer from worms, but adults are af- 
fected sometimes with them to a high degree. 

Symptoms. — Variable appetite, fetid breath, sour belch- 
ings, pain in the stomach, grinding of the teeth, picking of 
the nose, swelled hard bowels, griping pains of the bowels, 
paleness, emaciation, slow fever, convulsive fits. 

Treatment. — Calomel and jalap, No. 12, followed by the 
daily and continued use of No. 6, lime water, &c. 

This course may be preceded by an infusion of Carolina 
pink. 

Generous diet, wine, animal food. Crude unripe fruit, 
and poor, unwholesome food avoided. — See American Rem- 
edies. 



162 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

STY. 

This is a small boil, seated in the edge of the eye-lid. 
It is attended with heat, stiffness, pain, and considerable 
irritation. 

Apply a small poultice of- roasted apples or poppy-leaves. 
An opening may be made with the point of a lancet, as 
soon as there is matter in the tumour. Afterwards dress 
with red precipitate rubbed in a little lard. 

Old ulcers of this kind, or lumps remaining after a sty, 

should be touched with an ointment made by rubbing red 

precipitate in lard, or they may be touched with lunar 

caustic. 

WATER BRASH. 

Heartburn, pain in the stomach, and running from the 
mouth of a thin watery fluid, in considerable quantity. 

Treatment. — Wear broadcloth soals in the shoes ; flannel 
shirt and drawers. Opium ; hartshorn ; soda; lime-water 
for a steady drink, No. 24. 

BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE. 

Treatment. — Erect position of the body, with the head 
falling a little backward; free exposure to cold air; cold 
water applied to the head, back of the neck, or genitals ; 
lint dipped in alum water, or a solution made by putting 
one drachm of white vitriol in a pint and a half of soft 
water, stuffed into the nose. 

If there is fever, with strong pulse, head-ache, &c, bleed 
at the arm; salts and sweating medicine. 

If the face is pale, and pulse feeble, opium in large 
doses. — See American Remedies. 

BLEEDING FROM THE LUNGS. 
Symptoms. — Coughing up florid frothy blood ; heat and 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 163 

pain in the chest ; irritation in the windpipe ; saltish taste 
in the mouth. 

Treatment. — Carefully avoid heat and every kind of exer- 
tion, with every cause of agitation. Cool acidulated drinks ; 
sprinkling the genitals, feet, and legs, with cold water. 

A table-spoonful of fine salt, repeated if necessary. 

Sugar of lead one grain, with one grain of opium every 
six hours, is a powerful remedy in bleeding ; oil to keep 
the bowels loose at the same time. 

Tine, foxglove, with laudanum, 24 drops three times 
a-day. To prevent a return, small bleedings at the arm, if 
there is a sharpness of the pulse. 

Sailing, swinging, riding in an easy carriage, gentle 
motion on horseback, are the best kinds of exercise. — See 
American Remedies. 

BLEEDING FROM THE STOMACH. 

In this disease the blood is vomited up, of a dark colour. 
A free use of cooling purgative medicines. 

Note. — The bleedings which occur in Malignant Quinsy, Scar- 
let Fever, and Typhus, are only symptoms of those diseases, and 
opium with cordials are proper. 



BLOOD LETTING.* 



In whatever part of the body bleeding is to be practised, 
it is necessary to make pressure on the vein, betwixt the 

* In preparing the first edition of this work, we said nothing of 
the manner of performing this operation, then deeming it iaexpe r 



164 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

place where the opening is to be made and the heart. Thus 
the return of the blood through the vessel is prevented; 
consequently it swells, becomes conspicuous, and bleeds 
freely, which it would not do if the blood could readily pass 
on towards the heart. 

In bleeding in the arm, a fillet or garter is to be tied 
with moderate tightness round the arm above the elbow. 
In doing this, we should be careful sufficiently to intercept 
the flowing of the blood through the veins, without mate- 
rially affecting the pulsation of the artery at the wrist. 

Before cording the arm, however, the operator should 
carefully press upon the place designated for the orifice, 
and ascertain that no artery lies underneath, which might be 
wounded. 

In general, a vein should be selected which does not 
roll easily under the finger. The operator should always 
fix the vein as much as he can, by placing the thumb of 
the left hand below the place where he intends to introduce 
the lancet. 

Persons who bleed but seldom, had better use a German 
or spring lancet ; but when a common lancet is to be used, 
it should be pushed into the vein in an oblique direction, 
and, when its point is felt, or seen to be a little entered 
within the cavity of the vessel, it is not to be introduced 
further, but the opening rendered sufficiently large by 
carrying the instrument obliquely upward and forward, 
by which movement it is also brought out of the part again. 

The opening being made, the patient is to support his 

dient to put a lancet into common hands. Yet when we consider 
that lancets are usually deposited in medicine chests, and that no 
body would be likely to assume the responsibility incident to this 
operation, when it is possible to obtain a decent bleeder, we have 
concluded to insert this article. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 165 

arm in a convenient position for allowing the blood to flow 
into a basin, by taking hold of a walking-stick or pummel of 
a chair. The running of the blood may be facilitated by 
opening and shutting the hand frequently, and with some 
force. 

The due quantity of blood having been drawn, the lig- 
ature is to be removed gently, and not too suddenly, lest the 
patient faint. Should the bleeding not cease spontaneously, 
the operator should place his thumb upon the vein below 
the orifice. The arm in this state is to be washed with a 
sponge or cloth, and water, and when dry, the edges of the 
wound are to be placed in contact, a little lint and a com- 
press laid on, and a bandage applied, so that the several 
turns shall cross each other over the compress. — See article 
Bandage. 



166 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINE. 



In prescribing a medicine, even the best calculated to 
fulfil the object intended, it is necessary to consider the age, 
sex, temperament and habits of the patient, before the dose 
can be properly apportioned ; and as far as the medicine 
itself is regarded, the most convenient and agreeable form 
of exhibiting, whether it should be given alone or combined 
with other ingredients ; and how far these are likely to 
impede, modify, or facilitate its operation. An attention 
to these circumstances is absolutely requisite to prevent the 
errors which too frequently occur in forming a prescription. 

Circumstances connected with the state of the patient. 
Age. — Here it must be observed, that the doses of medi- 
cine mentioned in this work (with some exceptions pointed 
out in their place, are those adapted for an adult ; but, as 
in the two extremes of life, childhood and old age, the 
body is weaker, and in early youth more susceptible of all 
the impressions, these quantities cannot be administered 
with safety in every case ; and hence the judgment of the 
prescriber must be exercised. See a table of doses reduced, 
fyc, under article weights and measures. 

Sex. — Although some women possess as much bodily 
strength and vigour of constitution as the majority of men ; 
yet, the general greater delicacy and sensibility of the 
female frame, at every period of life, require not only cau- 
tion in apportioning the doses of active medicine, which 
should be less than those ordered for men of the same age ; 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 167 

but, the medicines themselves should be such as are likely 
to fulfil the indications, without much violence. The state 
of the uterine system likewise must not be overlooked in 
prescribing for a female. Thus the employment of aloetic 
and drastic purgatives, bark, sulphuric acid, and astrin- 
gents, should be suspended during the period. 

Temperament — -It is undoubtedly true that persons of dif- 
erent temperaments or original conformations of body are 
differently affected by the operations of medicines. Stimu- 
lants more readily affect those of a sanguine temperament 
than those of a phlegmatic ; and, therefore, smaller doses 
are required. In the phlegmatic, also, the bowels are 
generally torpid, and require both a description of purga- 
tives and such doses, as would endanger an irritable and 
delicate constitution. Habits, have considerable influence 
in modifying the operation of medicines. Persons addicted 
to the use of spirit, narcotics, and other stimulants, are less 
easily excited both by medicinal stimulants and narcotics. 
Persons in the daily habit of taking purgatives, must take 
a different article to produce much effect upon the bowels. 
In the employment of medicines, also, which require to be 
long continued, the beneficial effect is soon lost, if the 
doses be not increased. 

Of the form and composition of prescriptions. — In every 
prescription, simplicity should be kept in view, and when 
medicine will answer the intention of the prescriber, it ought 
to be preferred. The nauseous taste, however, and the 
other qualities of the great majority of drugs, require the 
addition of others to modify their taste, or action ; but, 
although medicines are more generally prescribed in a 
compound form, yet the practice of accumulating a great 
variety of ingredients in one prescription should be avoided. 

Medicines exhibited in a fluid form operate sooner, and 



168 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

with more certainty, than in a solid state ; but in choosing 
the vehicle or solvent, the taste of the patient ought not to 
be overlooked. Thus, for those to whom peppermint-water 
is not disagreeable, the nauseous taste of Epsom salts is 
more completely concealed by that vehicle than any other; 
if bark in powder be ordered, milk effectually covers its 
taste, provided the dose be taken the moment it is mixed ; 
and if aloes, the most nauseous article of the materia 
medica, be prescribed in a fluid form, a solution of extract 
of liquorice renders it by no means unpalatable. Medicines, 
which when given alone, produce griping, require the 
addition of aromatics to correct that quality, and when 
they operate with violence, mucilages, or opiates are 
necessary to moderate their action. In prescribing pur- 
gatives, it is also necessary to consider the particular part 
of the alimentary canal on which they more immediately 
act. Thus, rhubarb acts chiefly on the upper part of the 
bowels, aloes on the lower, and calomel and jalap on the 
middle, or larger intestines. Another reason for ordering 
medicines in a compound form is the necessity of produ- 
cing two or more effects at one time. Thus the same dose 
may be required, in a case of colic for example, to allay 
pain and to open the bowels ; or, in fever, to determine to 
the skin, to allay irritation and produce sleep. But in 
combining medicines, care must be taken not to bring 
together incompatibles, or substances that decompose each 
other, or chemically combine and consequently alter the 
nature of the mixture, or render it inert ; unless the result- 
ing compound be the remedy on which the prescriber 
relies. Thus acid and alkalies are incompatible, unless 
the neutral salt they produce be the remedy required ; and 
astringent vegetable infusions and decoctions destroy the 
emetic and diaphoretic property of tartar emetic. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 169 

EMETICS. 

For adults, a scruple of ipecac, or an ounce of ipecac 
wine. For children, Vrom four to ten grains of ipecac, or 
from a tea to a table spoonful of ipecac wine, according to 
the age, Antimonials should not be given but by medical 
prescription. 

LAXATIVES. 

For adults, a table-spoonful of castor-oil taken alone or 
mixed with brandy, lemon juice syrup, or the thin part of 
marmalade, an ounce or an ounce and an half of glaub. or 
Rochelle salts. Jalap from a scruple to a drachm, with a 
little ginger, or six or eight grains of calomel rubbed up 
with loaf sugar. Or No. 27. Or magnesia or cream 
tartar. 

For children, rhubarb and magnesia, or senna tea, from 
a tea to a desert-spoonful of castor-oil ; from a quarter of a 
grain to six grains of calomel, according to the age, should 
be given in jelly or syrup of preserves. 

OPIATES. 
For adults, a grain of opium, or twenty-five drops of 
laudanum; but in severe pain or lock-jaw, the dose of 
laudanum may be very much increased or repeated. Ex- 
tract of henbane (Hyosciamus,) in double the quantity of 
opium. — See American Remedies ; poppy, lettuce, and hen- 



SWEATING MEDICINES. 
See American Remedies. Thoroughwort, lemon baum, 
cat-nip, Virginia snake-root, Queen of the meadows, ever- 
lasting. 

8. 15 



170 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

CORDIALS. 
Wine, spirit, No. 13, 14, laudanum, wine whey, mus- 
tard whey.— See American Remedies: motherwort, prickty- 
ash, sanicle, 

CLYSTERS. 
A pint of gruel or broth, to which may be added a spoon- 
ful of common salt. When there is tenderness of the bowels 
or in the parts adjacent, infusions of tansy, or roots of 
motherwort may be used. Opiates are administered in 
gruel or starch, but the dose of opium should be double the 
quantity taken by the mouth. — See American Remedies : 
hops, motherwort, masterwort, American senna, hard-hack. 

DRINKS. 

Barley-water, toast-water, oat-meal gruel, rice gruel, 
ginger wine and water, apple tea, lemonade, tamarind 
beverage.—- See American Remedies : oaum, lemon baum, 
catnip, spice-lush, sassafras, spearmint* 

SICK DIET. 
Light boiled rice, stewed apples, prunes or gooseberries, 
soft boiled eggs, eggs beat up in sugar, arrow-root, bread- 
water, calves- feet jelly, chicken broth, beef- tea, spinage^ 
asparagus, cauli-flower, turnip, &c. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 171 



FAMILY DISPENSATORY. 



Under this head will be found what is conceived to be a 
choice of remedies. The limits of the work would not 
admit of a great variety of preparations ; yet enough are 
to be found here, including those frequently referred to in 
the body of the work. A few things, well understood and 
well improved, are better than a thousand, of which we 
have but half-knowledge. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
■Apothecaries' TVeights and Wine Measures are used in this Work. 





WEIGHTS. 




Twenty grains 


make 


a scruple. 


Three scruples 


a 


. a drachm. 


Eight drachms 


a 


. an ounce. 


Twelve ounces 


a 


. one pound 



The grains the same as in money-scales, from which 
the other weights may be calculated : as, 24 grains make 
a pennyweight, &c. 

Note. — Apothecaries in this country do not distinguish between 
the Grocer's or Avoirdupois pound and their own. 

MEASURES. 

Eight drachms make one ounce. 

Twelve ounces . " . . one pint. 

Eight pints . . " . . one gallon. 
A table-spoonful is supposed to be equal to half an 
ounce, and a tea-spoonful to seventy drops. A drop will 
contain a quantity proportioned to the size of the mouth 



172 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



of the vial from which it falls. A common ounce- vial 
should be a medium size. 

The doses mentioned are for adults, except when other- 
wise particularized. 

DOSES REDUCED FOR PERSONS UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE. 



For 14 years, 

" 7 do. 

" 5 do. 

" 3 do. 

" 28 months, 

" 14 do. 

" 7 do. 

" 2 do. 

" 1 do. 
Under one month, 



Two-thirds. 

One-half. 

One-third. 

One-fourth. , 

One-fifth. 

One-eighth. 

One-twelfth, 

One-fifteenth. 

One- twentieth. 

One-twenty- fourth. 



Laudanum and other active fluids should not be given 
to young children after there is a cloud in them, as the 
strength is then uncertain ; the top of the fluid is then 
weaker and the bottom stronger, as the substance has fallen 
to the bottom. 



RECIPES; 

OR, 

APOTHECARIES' FORMS OF MEDICINES. 



Note. — Recipes to the number of twenty-six, referred to 
through the previous pages of the work, are here numerically 
arranged; to which several more are added, that will be found 
valuable for various diseases. 

R. No. 1. Sugar of lead, one drachm. 
Soft water, half a pint. 
Vinegar and spirit, half a gill each. Mix. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 173 

R. No. 2. Sal ammoniac, half an ounce. 

Spirit and vinegar, a pint each. Mix. 

R. No. 3. Spirit of hartshorn, one part. 

Sweet oil, or fresh butter, two parts. Mix, 
and shake in a vial : volatile liniment. 

R. No. 4. Powder of ipecac, 15 grains. 

Tartar emetic, one grain. Mix. Take in 
- warm water or in molasses. 

R. No. 5. Calomel, 8 grains. 

Jalap, 15 do. Mix. 

R. No. 6. Peruvian bark, 1 oz. 
Cloves, 1-2 oz. 

Boiling water, 1 pint — poured on the bark, 
strained while warm, stirred when taken. 

R. No. 7. White vitriol, 3 grains. 

Extract gentian, 1 drachm. Mix. 

R. No. 8. Opium and ipecac, 10 grains of each. 

Camphor, 20 grains. Mix — grind into fine 
powder; divide into ten parts. Half, 
or the whole of one may be taken at 
once. 

R. No. 9. Volatile salt of hartshorn, 10 grains. 

Opium and camphor, each 10 do. 

Chalk, 30 grs. Mix. — grind to fine powder ; 
divide into ten parts : take one every four 
hours, more or less, according to symptoms. 

R. No. 10. Equal parts of laudanum. 
Spirits of hartshorn, and 
Camphorated spirit. Mix. A tea-spoonful, 
more or less, as urgency may require. 



174 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

R. No. 11. No. 6, a wine-glass. 

Tincture of bark, a tea-spoonful. 
Muriatic acid, 5 drops. Mix for a draught. 
To be repeated every four or five hours. 

R. No. 12. Calomel, 4 grains. 

Jalap, 15 grs. Mix. — Repeat every four or 
six hours, till effect is produced. Assist 
the application by rubbing in a half or full 
drachm of mercurial ointment every four 
hours, until the mouth becomes affected. 

R. No. 13. Calomel, 2 grains. 

Opium, half a grain. Make a pill — to be 
taken every four hours. 

R. No. 14. Sal. tart, or peaiiash, half a drachm. 

Vinegar, enough to destroy taste of pearlash. 

Cinnamon tea, a gill. 

Loaf-sugar, a tea-spoonful. Mix, and take 

half the above quantity every half hour 

or hour, till it allays sickness, produces 

moisture on the skin, or moves the bowels. 

R. No. 15. Calomel, 6 grains. 

Rhubarb, 12 grains. Mix — taken in mo- 
lasses, and repeated, if necessary. 

R. No. 16. Ipecac, 15 grains. 

Thorough wort tea, 12 tea-spoonfuls. Mix. 

R. No. 17. Gum ammoniac, the size of a nutmeg. 

Loaf-sugar, twice as much. Mix — grind 
to fine powder ; add a tea-cup full boiling 
water, stirring. After it settles, a spoonful 
every half hour, till patient raises freely; 
assist by warm tea; tinct. blood-root. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 175 

R. No. 18. White vitriol, one drachm. 
Soft water, one pint. Mix. 

R. No. 19. Nitre, 10 grains. 

No. 14, 2 tea-spoonfuls. 
Sage tea, a gill. 

Loaf-sugar, a tea-spoonful. Mix— to be 
taken every two or four hours. 
R. No. 20. Powder of bark, a table-spoonful. 
Boiling water, a tea-cupful. 
Honey, two tea-spoonfuls. Strain while 
warm ; add muriatic acid, to make it sour. 
R. No. 21. Yellow wax, white resin, frankincense, of 
each 1-4 lb. Mix. Melt over a gentle 
fire ; add 1 lb. lard, and strain warm : the 
best dressing for all healthy ulcers. 
R. No. 22. Rhubarb, 1-4 oz. 

Iron filings, 1-2 oz. 

Loaf-sugar, 1 oz. — grind to a powder: take 
daily at 11 o'clock, so as not to purge. 

R. No. 23. White vitriol, 1-2 drachm. 
Sugar of lead, 11 grains. 
Soft water, 3 gills. 
R. No. 24. Myrrh, in powder, 2 drachms. 
Sulphate of iron, 1 scruple. 
Salt of tartar, 1 drachm. 
Extract of gentian, half a drachm — simple 
sirup to pill ; make into 70 pills. 
R. No. 25. Opium, in powder, 12 grains. 
Ipecac, do. 15 do. 
Camphor, 20 do. Mix — make 

15 pills with balsam capivi ; take one 
every six hours, and bftcner, if necessary. 



176 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

R. No. 26. Nitre, 2 grains. 
Aloes, 4 grains. 

Gamboge, 8 grs. — Make 6 pills ; take one 
every two hours, till they operate freely. 

PILLS. 

R. No. 27. Laxative Pills. 
Take of powder of cinnamon, 10 grains. 

Socotorine aloes in fine powder, and 
Castile soap, of each one drachm. 
Beat them together in a stone or iron mortar, adding one 
or two drops of sirup or molasses. Make into 32 pills. 
Dose for grown persons, two at bed time. 

R. No. 28. Pills of Aloes and Fetida. 
Take of Socotorine aloes, 
Aassa-fetida, and 
Soap, equal parts. 

Pill with gum Arabic. 
These pills are good in indigestion, attended with costive- 
ness, and wind in the stomach and bowels. 
Purging pills, see No. 26. 

R. No. 29. Hairs colic Pills. 

Take of cinnamon, cloves, mace, myrrh, saffron, ginger, 
Castile soap, of each one drachm, socotorine aloes one ounce, 
and essence of peppermint sufficient to moisten it. 

Make common sized pills; take them till they operate. 

POWDERS. 

R. No. 30. Picra. 
Take of Socotorine aloes, 1 pound, 
White canella, 3 ounces, 
Separately powdered, and then mixed. Good purga- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 177 

tive. Dose between a scruple and drachm. May be taken 
in sirup or molasses. 

R. No. 31. Powder of the Gums. 
Take of Tragacanth, in powder, 
Gum Arabic, 

Starch, of each 1 1-2 ounce, 
Loaf sugar, 3 ounces. 

Grind to a powder. 
Good in coughs, hectic, stoppage of urine, old fluxes, 
&c. Dose one or more tea-spoonfuls. 

R. No. 32. Sweating Powder, or Dover's Powder. 

Take of Ipecac in powder, 

Opium, (dry,) of each one part, 
Sulphate of potash, eight parts. 

Grind them together to a fine powder. Dose from 5 to 
20 grains, as the stomach and strength will bear it ; lessen 
the dose if it threatens to puke. Avoid much drinking 
after it. This is a powerful sweating remedy in fevers, 
rheumatism, and dropsies, excellent in colds and suppressed 
perspiration. In general this is the best opiate, as the 
ipecac lessens the danger of a habitual use of opium, — a 
thing to be avoided next to habits of intoxication. 

PLASTERS. 

Blistering plaster should be prepared by an apothecary. 

R. No. 33. Common Plaster, or Diachylon. 
Take of Litharge, one part, 
Olive oil, two parts. 
Boil them, adding warm water to prevent its burning, 

8* 



178 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

and constantly stirring the mixture till the oil and litharge 
be formed into a plaster. All this should be done with 
caution; the water added should be neither very hot nor 
very cold. It is better to remove the kettle from the fire 
while the warm water is added. 

This is a common application to slight flesh wounds; 
they keep the parts soft and warm, and defend them from 
the air, which is all that can be expected from any plaster. 

R. No. 34. Sticking Plaster, or Adhesive Plaster. 

Take of common plaster, five parts, 
White resin, one part. 

Melt them together, and make a plaster. This is the 
plaster used in dressing recent wounds; it supplies the 
place of the surgeon's needle and stitch, and this from a 
simple cut finger, to an amputated thigh. See its use under 
the head of Ulcers. This makes the best strengthening 
plaster. Rub opium into it, and you have the anodyne 
plaster. 

SALVES AND OINTMENTS. 

Basilicon. See No. 5. 

R. No. 35. Simple Ointment. 
Take of Olive (sweet) oil, five parts, 

White wax, two parts*. Melt together. 
May be used for softening the skin, and healing chaps 
and excoriations. 

R. No. 36. Ointment of White Hellebore. 
Take of White hellebore, one ounce, 
Hog's lard, four ounces, 
Essence of lemon, half a scruple. Mix. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 179 

Used to cure eruptions on the skin, ringworms, and the 
like. 

Ointments of mercury are difficult of preparation, and 
apt to change by keeping ; for which reason they should 
be purchased of an apothecary when wanted. 

R. No. 37. Tar Ointment 
Take of tar and mutton suet, of each half a pound. 

Melt them together and strain. 

Successfully employed in some eruptions of the skin, 

especially scald head. 

R. No. 38. Sulphur Ointment. 
Take of Hog's lard, four parts, 

Flowers of sulphur, one part. 
To each pound of this ointment may be added. 
Volatile oil of lemons, or, 
Oil of lavender, 1-2 drachm. 
A certain remedy for the cure of itch. A pound serves 
for four unctions. The patient should be rubbed four 
nights in succession, each time one fourth part of the body. 
For other ointments, see American Remedies, as stra- 
monium, (thorn-apple) wild indigo, elder, &c. 

TINCTURES, OR ELIXIRS. 

See Tinctures, under American Remedies. 

R. No. 39. Elixir Proprietatus, Elix. Pro. or Tinc- 
ture of Myrrh and Aloes. 
Take of Myrrh in powder, two ounces, 
Alcohol, one pound and an half, 
Water, half a pound. Mix the alcohol with 



180 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

the water, and add the myrrh. Steep four days, and then 
add, 

Socotorine aloes, an ounce and a half. 
Saffron, an ounce. 
Steep three days, and pour off the clear liquor from the 
sediment. 

Laxative and stomachic. 

R. No. 40. Tincture of Assa Fetida. 
Take of Assa fetida, four ounces. 

Alcohol, two pounds and a half. 
Digest seven days, and strain through paper. 
Dose from ten to fifty drops. 

R. No. 41. Elixir Salutis, or Elixir of Health, Tincture 
of Senna. 
Take of Senna leaves, two ounces. 
Jalap, one ounce. 
Coriander seeds, half an ounce. 
High spirit, three pounds and a half. 
Digest seven days, and to the strained liquor add four 
ounces of loaf sugar. 

Useful in bowel complaints, colic, especially in intem- 
perate persons. 

R. No. 42. Tincture of Bark, or HuxharrCs Tincture. 
Take of Peruvian bark in powder, two ounces. 

Orange peel dried, half an ounce. 

Virginia snakeroot bruised, three drachms. 

Saffron, one drachm. 

Proof spirit, (rum) two pounds. 
Steep fourteen days, and strain. 
Good preparation of the bark taken as a bitter, a tea- 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 181 

spoonful to a glass of wine before eating ; useful in low 
fevers. 

R. No. 43. Tincture of Guaiac. 
Take of Gum Guaiac, one pound. 

Alcohol, two pounds and a half. 
Steep for seven days, and strain. 

A powerful stimulating, sweating remedy in rheumatic 
and old gouty affections. 

Dose, a tea-spoonful in spirit. 

R. No. 44. Laudanum. 
Take of Opium, two ounces. 

Diluted Alcohol, two pounds. 
Digest seven days. 
This is an elegant opiate, but separates by keeping. 

R. No. 45. Elixir Paragoric. 
Take of Purified opium, 

Flowers of Benzoin, of each one drachm. 
Camphor, two scruples. 
Oil of anise, one drachm. 
Proof spirit, two pints. 
Digest for ten days, and strain. 

This has been called Elixir Asthmatic, relieves coughs, 
and the bowel complaints of children. 

R. 56. Bitter Tincture of Rhubarb. 
Take of Rhubarb, two ounces. 

Gentian root, half an ounce. 
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half. 
Digest seven days, and strain through paper. 
Good in indigestion, debility of the bowels, diarrhoeas 
colic, and other similar complaints. 
16 



182 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

R. 47. Tincture of Balsam Tola. 
Take of Balsam tolu, one ounce. 

Alcohol, one pound. 
Digest till the balsam be dissolved, then strain through 
paper, mixed with simple sirup of sugar ; it forms an elegant 
preparation called Sirup of Balsam \ this with Elixir Para- 
goric in equal parts, is an excellent remedy for night 
coughs, and in consumption. 

SIRUPS. 

R. No. 48. Simple sirup. 
Take of Double refined sugar, fifteen parts. 

Water eight parts. 
Let the sugar be dissolved by a gentle heat, and boiled 
a little so as to form a sirup. 
See Tincture of Balsam. 

R. No. 49. Sirup of Ginger. 
Take of Beat ginger, three ounces. 
Boiling water, four pounds. 
Double refined sugar, seven and an half pounds. 
Steep the ginger in the water, in a close vessel, for twenty- 
four hours, then to the strained liquor add the beat sugar, 
so as to make a sirup. This is an agreeable and moderately 
aromatic sirup; impregnated with the flavour and the 
virtues of the ginger. 

R. No. 50. Sirup of Lemons. 
Take of juice of lemons, (suffered to stand till the sedi- 
ment falls, then strain off the liquor,) three parts. Double 
refined sugar, five parts. Dissolve the sugar in the juice 
till it forms a sirup. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 183 

In the same way are prepared, 

Sirup of Mulberry juice, 

Sirup of Raspberry juice, 

Sirup of Black-currant juice. 
All these are pleasant, cooling sirups; quenching thirst ; 
and may be used in gargles for sore mouths. 

LINIMENTS. 

VOLATILE LINIMENT. See No. 3. 

R. No. 51. Liniment of Oil and, Lime. 

Take of Linseed oil, lime water, of each equal parts, 
mix them. 

This liniment is extremely useful in burns and scalds ; 
efficacious in preventing inflammation after such acci- 
dents. 

R. 52. Camphorated Oil. 

Take of Olive oil, two ounces. 

Camphor, half an ounce. 
Dissolve the camphor in the oil. 
Good applied to local pains, to glandular swellings, and 
to the bowels in Tympany. 

R. No. 53. Opodeldoc. 
Take the best of hard soap, two ounces ; camphor, one 
ounce ; very strong spirit, one pint : mix the soap with the 
spirit, and let them stand in a moderate heat until the soap 
is dissolved, occasionally shaking the vial ; then add the 
camphor, and continue to shake the vessel frequently, until 
the whole is dissolved. Useful in sprains, bruises, and in 
rheumatic pains. Good to disperse swellings, tumours, 
and the like. 



184 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 



SUPPLEMENT TO FORMS OF MEDICINES. 

Note. — The following recipes may be found convenient " for a 
change" in the several complaints mentioned in them. 

POWDERS. 

Catlwrtics. 

R. Calomel, 3 grains. 

Jalap in powder, 

L. Sugar, of each 10 grains. Mix. 
May be taken morning or evening. 
In bilious fevers, and slimy and obstructed bowels. 

R. Cream tartar, 15 grains. 
Gamboge, 

L. Sugar, of each 5 grains. Mix. 
May be taken in the morning. In all dropsical cases. 

Diuretic. 

R. Cream tartar, 1 drachm. 
Powdered squills, 2 grains. 

" ginger, 4 do. Mix. 

May be taken every four hours. In dropsy. 

Tonic. 

R. Simaruba bark in powder, 1 scruple. 

Opium, do. 1-4 grain. Mix. 

May be taken every three hours. In dysentery, after 
the bowels have been cleared. 



HOUSE SURGEON AND FHYSICIAN. 185 

PILLS. 

Opiate. 

R. Opium, 1 grain. 
Made into a pill. To procure sleep in ordinary cases. 

Antispasmodic. 

R. Opium, 1-2 grain. 
Castor, 6 grains. 
Foxglove, 1 grain. 
Sirup, q. s. 
Make into a pill, and repeat it three times a-day. 

Cathartic. 

R. Scammony in powder, 4 grains. 
Extract of dandelion, 16 do. 
Make six pills; take three, morning and evening. In 
hypochondriasis and chronic liver complaints. 

R. Calomel, 3 grains. 

Jalap in powder, 9 grains. 

Mucilage of Gum Arabic, q. s. 
Make into three pills, to be taken at night. 
To empty the bowels in bilious affections. 

R. Rhubarb in powder, 11-2 drachms. 
Soap, (Castile) 15 grains. 
Moisten with water, and make 24 pills ; take as occasion 
requires. In costiveness, arising from deficiency of bile 
in the intestinal canal. 



186 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Diuretic. 

R. Foxglove in powder, 12 grains. 
Calomel, 4 do. 

Extract of dandelion, q. s. 
Make 12 pills, to be taken every eighth hour. — In drop- 
sy of the chest, with obstructions. 

Diaphoretic , {sweating . ) 

R. Tartar emetic, 2 grains. 
Opium, 6 do. 

Camphor, 36 do. 

Alcohol, 3 drops. 

Make 12 pills ; take one every four hours. In fevers. 

Expectorant, (raising from the lungs.) 

Squills in powder, 30 grains. 

Gum ammoniac, 1 1-2 drachms. 

Extract of hemlock, 30 grains. 
Make 30 pills. Take one or two every six hours. 
In asthma and chronic catarrh. 

Tonic and Purgative combined. 

Ammoniated iron, 1 drachm. 

Extract of aloes. 

Extract of gentian, of each 1-2 do. 
Make into thirty pills ; take two or three each day. 
In indigestion, hysterics, scrofula, and in obstructions. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The reader, who may be skilled in botany, is requested to 
notice, that the first term applied to the subsequent plants, is 
always the name of the lowest division above species, that has 
received a name, whether this division happens to be genus or 
sub-genus; and that the writer does not, by this selection of 
appellations, intend by any means to go into the question, whether 
the Linnaean or the Tournefortian genera are to be preferred? 
whether sub-genera are to be elevated to the rank of independent 
genera, or whether they are still to remain in subordination, 
and as tributaries. 

It is to be observed, likewise, that the writer of these sketches 
thinks it but justice to acknowledge, that for a considerable 
proportion of the unequivocally ascertained facts respecting those 
articles of which there has never, heretofore, been any published 
account, he is indebted to Eli Ives, M. D., of New Haven, Pro- 
fessor of Botany and Materia Medica in Yale College, whose 
pupil he was, some years since. 



INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN REMEDIES. 



COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SIMPLES. 

Vegetable matters, intended for medicine, should be collected 
from where they grow spontaneously : in general, from high and 
dry soils. 

Roots should be gathered before the plant shoots, or after the 
sap has returned in the autumn. They should be dried without 
washing ; after drying, they should be cleaned with a brush, and 
freed from worm-eaten and decayed parts, with a knife. Such as 
lose their virtue by drying, should be preserved in dry sand. 

Herbs and leaves are to be gathered when they are in full 
vigour; aromatics, when the flower-buds are opening. They are 
usually tied in bunches, and hung up under a roof ; if they are 
juicy, they may be dried on a seive, near the stove. 

Sprouts are collected before the buds open. 

Stalks are gathered in autumn. 

Barks, in spring and autumn. Barks should be taken from 
young trees, and freed from all impurities. 

Woods should be gathered in spring and autumn, and from 
trees not very young. 

Flowers are collected after the dew is off, before noon. 

Seeds and fruits are to be gathered when ripe, but before they 
fall spontaneously. This is a rule with exceptions. 



PREPARATIONS. 



INFUSION. 

Upon a handful of the article, pour on boiling water till a coffee- 
bowl may be filled of the strained liquor ; it should stand in a cov- 



190 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN REMEDIES. 

ered vessel fifteen or twenty minutes. Dose, a full draught, unless 
differently prescribed. 

We use infusion for those articles which have virtues liable to 
be driven off by heat in continued boiling. 

DECOCTION. 

Proceed as for Infusion, but continue the boiling gently, for a 
sufficient length of time to obtain the wished for product. 

EXTRACTS. 

To any quantity of the article, pour on a large quantity of water ; 
boil away one third or one half; strain through thick cloth; put 
the strained liquor into a small kettle ; set it into a large one with 
water previously put in it. This precaution will prevent the burn- 
ing of the extract, which totally ruins it. 

Evaporate to the consistence of honey or wax. 

Note. — When extracts are prepared from poisonous plants, as hemlock, 
henbane, lettuce, stramonium, and the like; the fresh plant, as the flowers 
fall off, should be gathered, cut up and bruised in water in a wooden mortar, 
then the fluid pressed out of them through a thick cloth. The liquor to be 
treated as the strained liquor for the common extract. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 



ABIES BALSAMIFERA. Michaux. 
Balsam of Canada, Balsam of Fir. 
A liquid resin, or turpentine exudes from this tree, which, 
taken freely, proves laxative, increases the discharge of 
urine, assists in raising phlegm from the lungs, and in 
females promotes the monthly discharge. In smaller doses, 
and continued for some time, it strengthens the stomach and 
bowels, and promotes healthy action in the lungs, liver, and 
urinary organs. In reference to these effects, it may be 
given in cases of habitual costiveness, in piles, in colic, in 
moderate cases of jaundice, in chronic coughs, in old pains 
of the breast and side, in ulcerated or weakened states of 
the womb, and urinary organs, in gravel, whites, gleet, and 
in chronic rheumatism, By way of injection, it is very 
celebrated in colic ; and as an external application, it is 
much used in eruption of the skin, in vitiated ulcers, in 
burns, in punctured or contused wounds, to promote sup- 
puration, and to recently cut wounds, to promote adhesive 
inflammation. It should not be used where there is active 
inflammation. In the small quantities, in which it is com- 
monly employed, by common people, nothing can be more 
insignificant; and if used freely, it can be properly adapted 
to the symptoms only by a physician. Improperly used it 
produces bloody stools, bloody urine, &c, and aggravates 
the symptoms which it was intended to relieve. 



192 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ABIES CANADENSIS. Machaux. 
Hemlock-spruce, Canada-Fir, 

This affords a liquid resin, or turpentine, which has all 
the properties of Balsam of Fir, and which may be used in 
the same "Way, and in the same cases. From this tree, as 
well as from the Abies balsamifera, an essential oil may 
be obtained, which has all the properties of common oil of 
turpentine. This oil dissolved in spirit of wine is in much 
popular repute, under the name of essence of Hemlock. 
Strong tea, made by boiling the young branches, is much 
used as a sweating drink, at the outset of colds, and low- 
fevers, for the purpose of breaking them up, and frequently 
with success. 

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM. Linne. 
Yarrow, Millfoil. 

This herb is bitter and spicy to the taste. The express- 
ed juice is strengthening, and carminative. It is useful 
in indigestion, air in the stomach and bowels, hysterical 
and spasmodic complaints, &c. The recent plant is much 
better than the dry. The fresh roots have the properties 
of the contrayerva of the shops. 

ACHYRANTHES-REPENS. Elliott. 
Forty -knot. 
The whole plant made into a strong tea by boiling, sen- 
sibly increases the urinary discharge. In suppression of 
urine, or difficulty of evacuating it, it is commonly a suc- 
cessful remedy. It must be drank freely, whilst it is warm. 

ACORUS CALAMUS. Linne. 
Sweet-Flag, Myrtle-Flag, Sweet-Calamus, Sweet Myrtle-grass. 
The root has a strong but grateful aromatic-smell, and a 



. AMERICAN REMEDIES. 193 

V 

pungent bitterish taste. Its flavour is much improved by 
drying. For medicinal purposes this article is not inferiour 
to nutmeg or cinnamon. It may be combined with 
strengthening remedies to hasten or increase their effect, 
or it may be used by itself, in cramps of the stomach, &c. 
Withering informs us that it is capable of curing some 
cases of fever and ague. The j uice obtained by expression 
of the recent root, after being reduced to a pulp in a mortar, 
is said to be a mild emetic. The dry powder snuffed into 
the nose produces sneezing. 

ACT^EA ALBA. Willdenow. 

White- Cohosh, Coral- and- Pearl. 

The root tastes spicy and bitter, and has stronger sen- 
sible properties, when recent, than when dry. Made into 
a strong tea, and drank freely, it produces perspiration, und 
relieves restlessness. It is useful in chronic-rheumatism, 
low-fevers, hysterics, &c. It should not be given where 
there is inflammatory, fever, or active inflammation, 

ACTiEA RUBRA. Willdenow. 
Herb- Christopher, Red-Cohosh, Red-bane-berry. 
This has the properties of White-Cohosh, and may be 
used in the same manner, except that it seems to be rather 
more powerful. 

AGAVE VIRGINICA. Linne. 
Thick-leaved- Snake-root, Rattle-snake' s-master. 
The root of this article is bitter. Steeped in spirit, it is 
much used in some places, as a remedy for colics, from 
air in the bowels. It is an article deserving of notice. 
9 17 



194 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN, 

ALETRIS ALBA. Michaux. 
Star-grass, Star-root, Colic-root, DeviVs-bit, Unicorn. 
The root is a smart bitter, and strengthening medicine. 
When taken in sufficient quantity, it purges. It has been 
used with benefit in agues, accompanied with dropsical 
swellings, in indigestion accompanied with nervous symp- 
toms and sickness, and in hysteric and flatulent colic. It 
may be taken in the form of strong tea, made either by 
steeping or boiling, or in dry powder, or occasionally in 
spirit, 

ALETRIS AUREA. Michaux. 

Star-wort, Devil' s-bit, Shaw-root. 

The root of this species possesses the same properties as 

that of A. alba. Both are sometimes steeped in vinegar 

for medicinal purposes, but this preparation cannot be as 

good as a similar one in water or spirit. 

ALNU'S SERRULATA. Willdenow. 
Hazle-Alder, Candle- Alder. 
The bark tastes astringent, and bears considerable resem- 
blance in -sensible properties, to Peruvian bark. It is 
a good strengthening medicine, and may be used in cases 
of indigestion, agues, the secondary stages of bowel com- 
plaints or laxes, and in low fevers, It may be given in the 
form of fine powder, or strong tea, made either by steeping^ 
or boiling, or it may be put into spirit. 

AMARYLLIS ATAMASCO. Lmne. 
Atamasco-Lily, Stagger -grass. 
This article has the popular' reputation of being poison 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 195 

cms, and of producing the disease in calves, which is called 
staggers. This is rather questionable, as the disease appears 
where the plant is never found. It is mentioned here with 
a view to turn the public attention to the subject, because 
if it possesses what are commonly called poisonous qualities, 
it is no doubt capable of curing diseases, 

AMBROSIA ELATIOR. Linne. 

Bitter -weed, Roman- Worm-wood, Rag-weed, Iron-weed. 

This whole plant has a bitter, disagreeable taste, but in 
the form of strong tea, it is useful in nervous and hysterical 
cases, and in after pains. It promotes perspiration, and is 
composing and strengthening. It should be drank freely. 

ANDROMEDA NITIDA. Walter. 
Male-Whortleberry, Sour-ivood, Sorrel-tree. 
The leaves are agreeably acid to the taste. A strong 
tea made by boiling, cures the itch, and some other erup- 
tions of the skin. It should be applied warm. It gene- 
rally causes smarting. One application is frequently suf- 
ficient. 

ANEMOIDES QUINQUEFOLIA. Persoon. 

Wind-fioiver. 
This plant is said to be acrid to the taste, and when exter- 
nally applied to the skin, to be capable of producing red- 
ness, and blistering. This effect is said to be more speedy, 
less painful, and equally serviceable, as the effect of the 
Spanish-fly. The plant should be bruised before it is 
applied. 

ANEMOIDES VIRGINIANA. Persoon. 
Thimble-weed, Virginian Anemone, Wind-flower. 
This plant has similar sensible and medicinal qualities to 



196 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

Anemone memorosa, except that it is much more powerful, 
and may be used in the same way as is directed for that. 
It is likewise of use internally in suppressions of the monthly 
evacuation in women, when dependent upon weakness ex- 
clusively, in blindness from obscurities in that part of the 
eye called the cornea, in venereal pains, and tumours of 
the bones, and ulcers from rottenness, in indurated glands, 
in chronic- creeping eruptions, and in melancholy, and pal- 
sies. The distilled water and extract/ are the only forms 
in which it is known to have been given. Half an ounce 
of the former, and five or six grains of the latter, two or 
three times in a day, is a customary dose. It generally 
produces some sickness and vomiting, some increased dis- 
charge of urine, a lax, and frequently some increased pain, 
in the seat of the local complaint, for which it is given. It 
should not be used, except by physicians. 

ANGELICA ATROPUREA. Linne. 
Purple Angelica. 
The root of this plant is fragrant and spicy, and is useful 
in hysterics, cramps, air in the stomach, and a variety of 
such complaints. The powder made by grating the root, 
will be the most convenient form of giving it. Water does 
not extract its virtues * 

ANGELICA LOBATA. Walter. 
Angelica. 
The root of this article has the same properties as An- 
gelica atropurpurea, and may be used for the same pur- 
pose, and in the same manner. 

ANGELICA TRIQUINATA. Mickaux. . 

Wild Angelica. 

This plant possesses medicinal properties, but of precisely 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 197 

what nature is not entirely settled. Its powers have been 
said to be similar to the other species of Angelica, by some ; 
and by others it has been considered to be one of those 
virulent poisons analogous to Cicuta maculata. Till these 
disputes are settled, there should be the greatest caution in 
its use. On either hand it is probably a valuable medi- 
cine, but should not be meddled with by common people. 

ANTHEMIS COTULA. Linne, 

May -weed, Maihen, Stinking- Chamomile. 

The whole of this plant has the same properties as 
Chamomile, except that it is much less agreeable. By dif- 
ferent management, it may be made to give strength to the 
stomach, to promote perspiration, or to vomit. A cold tea 
made by steeping or boiling in water, or a preparation 
made in spirit, taken moderately, gives strength. A hot 
tea, drank strong and plentifully, promotes perspiration, 
and vomits. In some one of these ways, it is useful in 
hysterics, cramps, and colics, from air in the bowels, &c. 
A strong tea is likewise a good fomentation in external 
inflammations, and other cases where fomentations are 
proper, and makes an excellent injection. The bruised 
herb is frequently a good addition to a poultice. The 
American plant is probably a distinct species from the 
European. The latter has mild blistering properties, which 
the former is entirely destitute of. 

APOCYNUM ANDROSCEMIFOLIUM. Linne. 

Dog's-bane, Indian Hemp, American Ipecac. 

This plant is milky, and acrid to the taste. The bark 

of the root, in doses of thirty or forty grains, sometimes 

vomits, and has been recommended as a substitute for ipe- 



198 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

cac. From its intense bitterness, however, and its trifling 
emetic powers, it is thought to promise more as a strength- 
ening remedy. A strong tea, made by boiling the root, 
cures the itch, but sometimes takes off the skin from tender 
parts. 

ARABIA HISPIDA. Michaux. 
Wild-Elder, Bristly-Ash, Poison-Elder. 
The root of this article is a good vomit. 

ARALIA NUDICAULIS. Linne. 
Sarsaparilla, Wild- Sarsaparilla, 
This has been erroneously supposed by common people 
to be the same as the Sarsaparilla of the shops. The root 
is the only part used, and this seems to be much more pow. 
erful when recent, than when dry. A strong tea, made by 
boiling, promotes perspiration, cures some eruptions of the 
skin, is serviceable in chronic rheumatism, and is a good 
restorative, after a course of mercury. It may be advan- 
tageously combined with sassafras, mezereum, &c. 

ARALIA RACEMOSA. Linne. 

Spikenard, Hungary -root, Wild-Liquorice, Petty-Morrel, 
Life-of-man. 

The fresh root is full of a juice w T hich resembles turpen- 
tine in taste. It is better in this state than when dry. A 
strong tea made either by steeping or boiling, is useful in 
thrush and canker of the mouth, and in very mild cases of 
malignant sore throat. The recent root, bruised to a pulp in 
a mortar, makes a useful poultice for ill-conditioned sores. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 190 

ARALIA SPINOSA. Linne. 
Angelica-tree, Tooth-ache-tree, Pigeon-wood, Shot-bush, 
Prickly-Ash, Hercules-club. 
A strong tea made of the bark of the fresh root, both 
vomits and purges. It is perhaps a better vomit than any 
of our native plants. An extract, prepared by boiling the 
root in water, makes an excellent purge. Drying very 
much weakens its active properties. Given with a view- 
to the above-mentioned effects, this medicine is efficacious 
in the bites of snakes and other venomous reptiles. In 
smaller doses it is useful in many eruptions of the skin, 
and in rheumatism, especially if connected with venereal 
complaints. The bark of the top, and the berries infused 
in spirit, relieve certain colics, and sometimes the tooth- 
ache. The medicine generally produces perspiration, but 
should not be given in fever, or in cases of local active 
inflammation. 

ARBUTUS UVA-URSI. Linne. 
Uva-Ursi, Bears 7 Whortleberry, Bear-berry, Bears' -grape. 
The leaves are astringent, and moderately bitter to the 
taste. A strong tea made by boiling, is useful in gravel, 
ulcerated states of the urinary organs, weakness of the 
same parts, suppressions of urine, &c, and likewise in 
many hectical cases. It seems to produce its beneficial 
effects, by giving strength, operating as an astringent, and 
moderately increasing the urinary discharge. 

ARCHYROCOMA AMERICANA. Persoon. 
Everlasting, Life-everlasting, Sweet-Lavender-Cotton, Indian- 
posy, Cud-weed. • 
The smell of the flowers of this plant is peculiarly pleas- 



200 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ant and grateful. A tea made by steeping evidently pro- 
motes perspiration more than simple water, and the stomach 
will bear a great deal more of it, without inconvenience, 
than it will of water. Hence it is a useful drink in the 
early stages of fevers and colds. 

ARCTIUM LAPPA. Linne. 
Burdock, Clot-bur, Hur-bur. 

The seeds, made into strong tea, and taken freely, pow- 
erfully promote perspiration, or if the patient is kept cool, 
the discharge by urine. Taken in this way, this article is 
useful in chronic rheumatism, the secondary symptoms of 
venereal complaints, and in many cases of eruptions of the 
skin. The roots possess the same properties. The recent 
wilted leaves are a good application to the feet when dry, 
in fever, to swelled bowels, and in a great variety of local 
pains. 

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA Linne. 
Virginia Snakeroot, Birihwort. 

The root has a very pungent and spicy bitter taste. 
Taken in powder, in doses of twenty or thirty grains, or in 
the form of tea made by steeping, it promotes perspiration, 
and gives strength. It is useful in the secondary stages of 
all low fevers, and cases of mortification. It sometimes 
relieves cramps of the stomach. Boiling injures it very 
much. The tea, made as above directed, and very strong, 
is serviceable in the bites of snakes, and venomous reptiles. 
It must be drunk freely. 

ARISTOLOCHIA SIPHO. DReritier. 
Birth-wort, Snake-root. 
The root has the same sensible and medicinal properties 
as Aristolochia Serpentaria, except that it is more bitter, and 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 201 

less spicy to the taste, and more permanent in its effects. 
It may be prepared in the same manner, and given in much 
the same cases. 

ARONIA ARBUTIFOLIA. Persoon. 
Choke-terry. 
The fruit tastes rough and astringent, and in the form 
of conserve, may be used in fevers and bowel complaints, 
to correct the state of the mouth. A strong tea made by 
boiling the bark of the root, has some popular reputation, 
for the relief of chronic rheumatism ; but with what foun- 
dation is doubtful. 

ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM. Linne, 

Wormwood. 
The expressed juice of the leaves of this article is a 
bitter strengthening medicine, which is sometimes used in 
moderate cases of indigestion, hypochondriasis, the slight 
jaundice in the spring season, and in cases of worms. A 
table-spoonful is a medium dose. It may be taken about 
four times a-day, at as nearly equal intervals as is conve- 
nient. 

ARUM DRACONTIUM. Linne. 

Green Dragon, Dragon-root. 
The root of this plant has the same sensible properties 
as Arum Triphyllum. It may be prepared in the same 
way, and given in the same cases. 

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. Linne. 

Wild-turnip, Indian-turnip, Dragon-root, Wake-rooin. 

The medicinal virtues of this root, reside altogether in 
9* 



202 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

an acrid principle, which cannot be extracted, either by- 
cold or hot water, by milk, by wine or spirit, or by vine- 
gar or any other acid. It is entirely destroyed by age, 
and drying; and likewise by too much pounding. In order 
to use it in medicine, it must be reduced to a pulp in some- 
thing oily, mucilaginous or saccharine, and suitably diluted, 
must be taken in this form. It is useful in old cases of 
asthma, chronic coughs, especially in old people, and in 
cases of accumulation of phlegm in the stomach and 
bowels. Bruised to a pulp, with lard, it is a good exter- 
nal application, in all those cases in which volatile lini- 
ment is prescribed by physicians. 

ASARUM ARIFOLIUM. Michaux. 
The root is said to have the same sensible and medicinal 
properties as Asarum Canadense. It miwj be prepared in 
the same way, and given in the same cases. 

ASARUM CANADENSE. Linne. 
Colts-foot, snakeroot, Wild-Ginger. 
The root of this article has a bitterish, and very spicy 
taste, something resembling Virginia snakeroot, and gin- 
ger. A strong tea made by steeping, promotes perspira- 
tion, and strengthens the stomach. Its virtues are however 
best extracted by spirit. Boiling injures it. It is useful 
in the secondary stages of all low fevers, cramps of the 
stomach, and most nervous symptoms that are connected 
with weakness. 

ASARUM V1RGINICUM. Linne. 

The root has much the same properties as Aristolochi 
Serpentaria. It may be prepared in the same way and 
used in the same cases. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES . 203 

ASCLEPIAS ACUMINATA. Pursh. 

The root of this species very closely resembles that of 
Asclepias tuberosa. It may be prepared in the same way, 
and used in the same cases. The recent root, as in all the 
other species, is more powerful than the dry. 

ASCLEPIAS PULCHRA. Willdenoiu. 

Water-silk-weed, Hairy-silk-weed, Lobelia. 

The sensible properties of this root differ considerably 
from the most common species of this numerous family, 
Its taste is pungent, bearing some resemblance to tobacco. 
Taken in the form of strong tea, in doses of a wine-glass 
full, it promotes perspiration, increases the urinary discharge, 
assists to raise phlegm from the lungs, &c, and is a good 
restorative after a mercurial course. It is useful in chronic 
rheumatism, chronic coughs, asthmas, and catarrhal affec- 
tions in general. It has sometimes done good in cases of 
gleet, and when taken in substance, brought away worms. 
It probably possesses the most medicinal efficacy of any 
of the American species of this genus. Its effects have 
been compared to Seneca snakeroot, or to hops and 
guaicum in combination. 

ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. Linne, 
Milk-weed, Silk-weed, Swallow-ivort, Butterfly- tveed, 
This is the most common species of Asclepias in the 
United States, and the greatest proportion of the American 
milk-weeds resemble it in medicinal as well as sensible 
properties. A strong tea, made by boiling the root, pro- 
motes perspiration, but more especially the urinary dis- 
charge * and if taken freely, seldom fails of proving laxa- 



204 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

tive. It has been used principally in dropsies, as an assist- 
ant to a customary course. 

ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA . Linne. 

White-root, Flux-root, Pleurisy -root, Butterfly -weed, Har- 
vest-flower, Wind-root, 
A strong tea of the root of this plant, made either by 
boiling or steeping in water, is quite useful to promote per- 
spiration. The powder of the root taken in substance, is 
a mild laxative, especially relieving those symptoms that 
proceed from air in the stomach. In mild inflammations 
of the lungs and liver, and in dysenteries, this article may 
frequently be made a useful auxiliary to a more energetic 
course, and it may sometimes be employed with advantage 
as a purgative for children. The taste of this root is first 
sweetish and mucilaginous, then somewhat bitter. As a 
laxative for children, it may be boiled in milk. 

ATRIPLEX MUCRONATA. Rqfinesque. 
Jagged- Orache. 
The fruit of this article contains a juice which, when 
inspissated, resembles the gamboge of the shops, both in 
sensible and medicinal qualities. In a dose from five to 
ten grains, it is said to operate as a powerful purgative, and 
is supposed to be especially suited to certain cases of asthma 
and dropsy. 

BERBERIS CANADENSIS. PursL 

Berberry, Pipperidge-bush. 

The inner bark is a pretty pure bitter. It gives strength, 

and proves laxative. It is useful in torpor of the liver and 

bowels. The fruit is intensely acid, and is grateful and 

cooling in low fevers and fluxes, 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 205 

BETULA LENTA. Linne. 

Black-Birch, Sweet-Birch, Cherry-Birch, Mountain- Mahog- 
any. 
The bark of the young branches is sweet, spicy, fra- 
grant and astringent. It contains a pungent essential oil, 
very nearly resembling, if not identical with that from 
Gaultheria procumbens. This oil promotes perspiration, 
and the discharge by urine, and relieves nervous and spas- 
modic complaints. It is useful in cramps of the stomach, 
spasmodic asthma, suppressions of urine, and gravel, w^hen 
not attended with inflammation. Indeed, it never does 
good in cases attended with any actively inflammatory 
symptoms. 

BRACHYSTEMTM LINIFOLIUM. WHldenow. 
Wild- Hyssop, Mountain- Mint. 
A strong tea, made by steeping this plant, is a good 
sweating drink in the beginning of low fevers. The es- 
sential oil resembles that from x\merican Penny-royal, and 
may be used for that in every case. It relieves cramps of 
the stomach, old coughs, sickness, vomiting, and griping of 
the bowels, in cases of a lax, &c. It does good, externally 
applied, in chronic rheumatism, and the secondary stages 
of sprains and bruises. 

BROMUS PURGANS. Linne. 

Purging-Brome. 
This plant is capable of operating as a purgative. 

CiENOTUS CANADENSIS. NuttalL 

Coifs-Tail 

The whole of the plant is pungent to the taste. Taken 
18 



206 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

internally in the form of decoction, it promotes perspiration, 
and discharge of urine, and seems to operate upon the 
stomach and bowels, like any of the aromatics. It is useful 
in gravel, and most of the diseases of the urinary organs, 
when not accompanied by active inflammation. It has 
likewise proved a useful auxiliary in the treatment of laxes, 
and other bowel complaints, and likewise in many cases 
of dropsy. It is commonly taken in the form of strong tea, 
made by boiling. 

CALLA VIRGINICA. Hicham. 

The root of this plant has the same sensible and medi- 
cinal properties as Arum triphyllum. It may be prepared 
in the same way, and given in the same cases. 

CALYSTEGIA SEPIUM. Brown. 
Cheat-bear -bind, Hedge-bear-bind, Poison-vine. 
The expressed juice, dried till it is of the consistence of 
pitch, or an extract made by boiling the plant in water, 
straining and boiling away the liquor, is a powerful purga- 
tive. Its operation may be rendered mild, by combining 
it with a little opium, or even with liquorice, sugar or com- 
mon gum. As a purge it is peculiarly adapted to drop- 
sies. From ten to twenty, or even thirty grains of these 
preparations are proper doses. 

CAPRIFOLIUM PERICLYMENUM. Persoon, 

Honey -suckle, Wood-bind. 
The berries are a strong purgative. 

CARTHAMUS TRINCTORIUS Linne. 
Saffiower. 
The seeds of this plant, reduced to a pulp, and taken 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 207 

internally, prove a griping purgative. The flowers in the 
form of tea, are a mild carminative and bitter strengthen- 
ing remedy. They are popularly supposed to be the same 
as the saffron of the shops, but are, in reality, as unlike 
that article as chalk is to cheese. 

CASSIA MARILANDICA. Linne. 
American Senna, Wild- Senna. 
The leaves of this plant have been much recommended, 
and used, as a substitute for the senna of the shops ; but 
they are but little more than half as powerful. Not less 
than an ounce, made into a tea by steeping, (boiling im- 
pairs its power,) will be sufficient to operate as physic. 
The extract of the root is said to be much more efficacious, 
and capable of operating in a less dose. The strong tea 
of the leaves makes a very good common injection. 

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. Michaux. 
Blue- Cohosh, Pappoose-root, Squaw-root. 
The root tastes, at first, moderately bitter, but in a 
moment, a disagreeable pungency diffuses itself through 
the mouth, leaving a sense of acrimony in the throat, 
which somewhat resembles that from Seneca snakeroot, 
and from the green seed-capsules of the Moose-wood 
together. From its sensible properties, it would seem to 
possess the medicinal powers of a combination of Virginia 
and Seneca snakeroots. A late empyrical writer recom- 
mends it to promote the monthly evacuation in women ; and 
says, it is likewise useful in certain cases of fever, rheuma- 
tism and dropsy. The Indians are said to have used it 
ad partum accelerandum. Its properties have not been inves- 
tigated and it is accordingly recommended to the notice of 
the public. 



208 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS. 

Red-root, New- Jersey Tea, Continental Tea. 
The bark of the root is an intense astringent, and may 
be employed in all cases where astringents are proper. It 
may be given in the form of tea, made by steeping, or 
boiling in water, or prepared in spirit, or even in substance. 
It may be of use in the secondary stages of bowel-com- 
plaints or laxes, in bleedings, accompanied with weakness, 
and in whites; also as a gargle in canker and thrush. 
The leaves possess a much less degree of astringency, and 
were much used, during the revolutionary war, as a sub- 
stitute for tea. 

CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALS. Linne. 

Button-wood, Button-bush, 'Globe-flower, Head-flower, Pond 
Dog -wood, Dwarf- Elder. 
The inner bark of the root is an agreeable bitter, and 
has been used in obstinate chronic coughs, dropsies, con- 
sumptive cases, &c. It seems likewise to possess some 
astringency. It may be given in the form of dry powder, 
or of strong tea. Whether it possesses any other virtues 
than that of a mere strengthener, is not known. 

CERASUS VIRGINIANA. Michaux. 

Wild Cherry -tree, Black Cherry-tree. 
The bark of this tree is a bitter strengthening medicine, 
but it contains a principle which gives it some degree of 
that property, called by physicians narcotic. This combi- 
nation of powers renders it peculiarly suited to cases of 
weakness, connected with some excessive discharge, or 
with irritability, or pain, as in hectical cases, connected 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 209 

with discharge of matter from the lungs, the liver, or from 
the ulcers of king's-evil. It is likewise useful in the sec- 
ondary stages of laxes and bowel complaints generally. It 
is commonly given in the form of strong tea. The fruit 
possesses less bitterness, with much mucilaginous and 
some saccharine matter ; otherwise it is similar to the bark. 
A gum similar to gum Arabic exudes from the tree. 

CHAMiESYCE COROLLATA. Persoon. 

The root of this article possesses the same properties as 
that of Chamsesyce Ipecacuanha, except that it is said to 
be preferable. 

CHAMASYCE IPECACUANHA. Persoon. 
Wild Ipecac, Spurge, Ipecacuanha. 
This, though a humble plant, has a very deep root. — 
Pursh observes that he has dug more than six feet, and to 
all appearance been as far from its end as ever. The pow- 
der of the dry root has very little taste or smell, and in 
doses of ten or fifteen grains, is a sure and safe vomit, 
always producing perspiration, and generally purging. It 
is not inferior to the South American ipecac, either for the 
general purposes of a vomit, or in the treatment of the early 
stages of low fevers. With opium and sulphate of potash, 
it makes good Dover's powder. It is thought to be more 
certain in producing sweating, than even this celebrated 
preparation. 

CHELIDONIUM MAJUS. Linne. 
Celandine. 
The root of this article is an acrid, bitter, strengthening 
medicine, possessing considerable power of removing ob- 
structions in the bowels. It is useful in the secondary 



210 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

stages of coughs, jaundice, &c 3 in certain cases of indiges- 
tion, and, in short, in most of the cases in which bloodroot 
is proper. It is likewise a good external application to in- 
dolent and vitiated ulcers, and to many eruptions of the 
skin. For internal use, a strong tea is a common mode of 
preparation. For external application, the tea, or an oint- 
ment made by bruising it to a pulp, with lard, will answer. 
The yellow juice of the plant sometimes cures ring- worms, 
canker, &c. 

CHELONE GLABRA. Linne. 
Snake-head. 
This plant is bitter to the taste, and is a good strength- 
ening remedy. It may be used in the form of strong tea 
made by steeping or boiling. It is proper in cases of indi- 
gestion, loss of appetite, and weakness in general. 

CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES. Linne. 
Mexican Goose-foot. 
The properties and medicinal uses of this article are ex- 
actly similar to those of Chenopodium anthelmmticum. 

CHENOPODIUM ANTHELMINTICUM. Linne. 
Oak of Jerusalem, Worm-seed. 
The expressed juice of this plant, or the essential oil, 
possesses the power of relieving hysterical and spasmodic 
complaints and worms. For the latter purpose, the seeds 
are sometimes given in substance. An excessive dose of 
the oil sometimes produces bad symptoms. A tea, made 
either by steeping or boiling, possesses comparatively but 
little of the virtues of the plant. The last mentioned form 
is the only one, however, in which it may be administered 
safely, without the direction of a physician. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 211 

CHENOPODIUM BOTRYS. Linne. 

Oak of Jerusalem, Oak of Cappadocia. 

The properties of this article are very nearly similar to 
those of Chenopodium anthelminticum. 

CHIMAPHILA CORYMBOSA. Pursh. 

Pippsissewa, Wintergreen, Prince's -Pine, Ground-Holly, 
Rheumatism-weed. 
Bitter and astringent to the taste. A strong tea made 
by boiling, is an efficacious remedy in dropsies, promoting 
the urinary discharge, and at the same time giving strength 
to the stomach and increasing the appetite. The tea is 
likewise useful in all diseases of the urinary organs that 
are not accompanied with any inflammatory symptoms. It 
possesses all the properties of Uva-Ursi, except in a much 
more eminent degree. The bruised leaves applied exter- 
nally to tender parts raise blisters. It is capable of curing 
many cases of fever and ague. Extract is a very common 
form of preparation. 

CHIMAPHILA MACULATA. Pursh. 

Variegated Wintergreen, or Prince's- Pine. 

This possesses similar sensible and medicinal properties 
to Chimaphila corymbosa ; and it may be prepared and 
administered in the same form and in the same cases. 

CHIONANTHUS YIRGINICA. Linne. 

Fringe-tree, White-Ash, Old-man' s-beard. 

The root is used in the form of tea, as a remedy in long 
standing agues, and other chronic diseases. 



212 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

CHRYSANTHEMUM LEUCANTHEMUM. Urine. 
White-weed, Moon-flower, Ox-eye-Daisy. 
A strong tea made of this plant increases the urinary- 
discharge. It is useful in cases of weakness, attended 
with sweating. It should be drunk freely, and the patient 
kept cool. 

CICHORIUM INTYBUS. Linne. 
Hickory. 

The juice, and strong tea made by boiling, gives strength, 
and removes obstructions in the bowels. If taken very 
freely it proves laxative, and so cures many eruptions of 
the skin. 

CICUTA BULBIFERA. Linne. 
Wild-Fennel, Water Cow-bane, Fennel-leaved Cow-bane. 

This article is one of those poisons styled by physicians 
narcotic. Its powers seem to be concentrated in the very 
acrid juice of the root. Its virtues are similar to those of 
Conium-maculatum, except thai it is much more powerful. 
It is used in the cure of jaundice ; it frequently relieves 
that painful disease of the face called Tic-doloureux, and 
it may be given as a palliative in cancer, and in old and 
painful venereal complaints. The plant in substance, or 
the extract, or a preparation in spirit, are proper forms. 
Common people should not meddle with it, as they value 
life ; as it requires much skill and judgment to manage it 
with safety. 

CICUTA MACULATA. Linne. 

Wild Carrot, Water- Hemlock, Snake-weed, Cow-bane, Ameri- 
can Hemlock. 
This is a poison of the same kind as Cicuta bulbifera. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 213 

It should never be meddled with by common people. It 
may be prepared in the same way, and given in the same 
cases, as the above-mentioned species, with the exception 
of the seeds, which differ in having less of the poisonous 
quality, and in having considerable heating and spicy 
properties. Dried and powdered, and given in doses from 
five to ten grains, they are useful in all cases of irritation. 
of the urinary organs and lungs, when not accompanied 
with inflammatory symptoms, also in chronic cough, and 
some cases of confirmed consumption, &c. 

COCCOLOBA UVIFERA. Linne. 
Sea-side Grape. 
One variety of the Kino of the shops is an extract from 
this plant. It is a good astringent, useful in bleedings, the 
secondary stages of bowel complaints, as a gargle in canker 
of the mouth, and in- sore throats, and in a variety of other 
cases. It may be prepared in water or spirit, or given in 
powder, as will be best suited to the case. 

COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA. Linne. 
Horse-radish. 
The root of horse-radish is useful in palsy, chronic 
rheumatism, the secondary stages of dropsy, asthma, chronic 
coughs, &c. Its virtues reside in an essential oil, which 
may be obtained by distillation, and which is imparted to 
water and spirit by steeping. Boiling of course dissipates 
it. It is perhaps best to take the root in substance, grated 
fine. The leaves are a good external application, in all 
those cases in which burdock leaves are recommended. 
They are, however, a much more powerful application, 
and generally blister. 



214 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

COMPTONIA ARPLENIFOLIA. Alton. 
Sweet-Fern. 
The leaves and stems of this plant, when taken freely, 
promote perspiration, and seem to be moderately composing. 
In the form of strong tea, it has been recommended in cases 
of chronic-rheumatism, the secondary stages of venereal 
complaints, and as a restorative after a mercurial course. 
As a wash, applied externally, at the same time that it is 
taken freely internally, it is considered by many to be 
peculiarly efficacious in curing many eruptions of the skin, 
particularly St. Anthony's fire, and poisoning from swamp, 
sumac. 

CONIUM MACULATUM. Linne. 
Hemlock. 
All parts of this plant are a virulent poison, but it may 
be used for very valuable purposes, as a medicine, and with 
perfect safety, by skilful and judicious physicians. Given 
in small doses, and at regular intervals, just so as to keep 
up the slightest possible dizziness of the head, and con- 
tinued for a week or two, it is very efficacious in jaundice, 
and other obstructions of the liver, in chronic rheumatism, 
and the secondary stages of the acute ; in schirrous and 
cancerous complaints ; in old venereal cases ; in that pain- 
ful disease called Neuralgia, or by the French, Tic- 
doloureux, and in short in any very painful chronic disease. 
Expressed inspissated juice, tincture, and substance, are 
the common forms for administration. 

CONVALLARIA MAJALIS. Linne. 
Lily of the Valley. 
The extract of the root of this article, both in sensible 



AMERICAN REMEDIES, 215 

properties and medicinal qualities, resembles aloes. It 
may be used in those cases to which aloes is adapted, and 
in similar doses. 

CONVOLVULUS PANDURATUS. Linne. 
Wild-Potato Vine, 
The root of this article is supposed to possess mild pur- 
gative powers ; but these are too inconsiderable to render 
it of much use in this point of view. The tea, made either 
by steeping or boiling, and taken freely, is said to be ser- 
viceable in gravel. 

COPTIS TRIFOLIA. Salisbury. 
Golden-thread, Mouth-root. 
The root is a very pure bitter, and strengthening medi- 
cine. Either alone, or combined with spices, it may be 
used in the secondary stages of low fevers, in chronic weak- 
ness of the stomach, and in almost every case in which 
strengthening remedies are proper. Its effects are similar 
to gentian, Columbo, quassia, &c. It may be prepared 
either in spirit, or made into strong tea. It is likewise 
good in substance, but is not easily reduced to powder. It 
has been supposed, but without the least foundation, to be 
useful in sore mouths. 

CORNUS CIRCINATA. VHeritier. 
Round-leaved Dogwood. 
This bark has the same properties, and may be used in 
the same manner, and in the same cases, as cornus florida, 
and cornus sericea. 

CORNUS FLORIDA. Linne. 
Box-ivood, Dog-wood, Box-tree, Dog-tree, Camel-tree. 
The bark of this tree is a good astringent, bitter, and 



216 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

strengthening medicine ; useful in all cases in which Peru- 
vian bark is used. It may be given in powder, or in the 
form of tea, made by boiling or steeping. Unless it is dry, 
and about a year old, it will sometimes offend the stomach. 
A strong tea made of the flowers, is a pleasant substitute 
for that of red rose leaves. 

CORNUS SERICEA. Linne. 
Swamp Bog-wood y Blue-berried Bog-wood, 
The bark of this article has the same medicinal prop- 
erties as cornus florida, and may be used in the same way. 
It is even supposed to be preferable. 

CUTLERA CATESBiEI. Rafinesque. 
Sampson's Snakeroot. 
The dry root has a mucilaginous, sweetish, and intensely 
bitter taste. It may be used in powder, or in the form of 
strong tea, or steeped in spirit, to give strength, in cases 
of indigestion, the secondary stages of low- fever, and in 
weakness generally. It is supposed to have some power 
of promoting perspiration. 

CUTLERA OCHROLEUCA. Rafinesque. 
Sampson's Snakeroot. 
The root of this article has the same properties as that 
of Cutlera Catesbaei, except that it is apt to nauseate. 

CUTLERA SAPONARIA. Rafinesque. 
The root of this article has the same properties as Cut- 
lera Catesbeei. 

DATURA STRAMONIUM. Linne. 
Thorn-apple, Apple-Peru, Stink-weed. 
Every part of this plant is a strong poison, of that kind 



AMERICAN REMEDIES, 217 

called by physicians narcotic. Given internally it is use- 
ful in epilepsy, or falling sickness, St. Vitus'-dance, con- 
vulsionsof the disease called tic-doloureux, when not occa- 
sioned by organic affection; also in madness, suppression 
of the monthly evacuation in females, and asthma, when 
accompanied, by tendency to spasm; also in rheumatism 
of the loins and hips, with much pain. Externally applied, 
it is serviceable in common inflammation, burns, ulcers, 
piles, accompanied with pain, and in certain eruptions of 
the skin, attended with heat and itching. The powder of 
the seeds and leaves, the extract, or a preparation in spirit* 
are suitable for internal use. For asthma the dry leaves 
may be smoked ; for external use, an ointment or the leaves 
may be used. 'Common people should never meddle with 
it, as it would be highly dangerous in their hands. 

DATURA TATULA. Ltnne. 

Blue Thorn-apple, Purple Siink~weed. 
This, which is certainly a distinct species from Datura 
Stramonium, has precisely the same properties, and may 
be used in the same way. Common people cannot be too 
cautious how they take these two articles internally. It 
will never be safe, except under the direction of an 
experienced physician. 

DELPHINIUM CQNSOLIDA. Linne. 
Larkspur. 
The seeds are capable of puking, purging and increas- 
ing the discharge by urine. They also relieve spasmodic - 
complaints, cure eruptions of the skin, .destroy worms in 
the stomach and bowels, and" lice of all kinds externally. 
It may be employed in the form of tea, made by boiling or 
steeping, or in spirit-. Asthma, hooping-cough, dropsy, 
10 19 



218 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

and worms, are the diseases in which its internal use is 
proper. The itch and lice, are the cases in which its 
external application is advised. Common people ought not 
to use this article, without the advice and direction of a 
physician, since if it is used freely enough to do good, there 
will be danger of ill effects, without such precautions as 
one skilled in medicine only can direct. 

DELPHINIUM STAPHISAGRIA. Linrie. 
Staves-acre, Bee Larkspur, 
The seeds of this article have the same medicinal prop- 
erties as those of common larkspur, except in a more 
eminent degree* 

DENTARIA DIPHYLLA. Michaux. 

Tooth-wort, Pepper-wort, Coral-wort, Indian-Mustard. 

The root of this plant resembles mustard, in sensible 
properties, and may be used for it, both in diet and medi- 
cine. 

DIER VILLA LUTEA. Desfontames. 

Yellow-upright Honey-suckle. 

The young twigs have a sickish, rather disagreeable 
taste and smell. In the form of strong tea, they sometimes- 
cure scaly and ring-worm-like eruptions of the skin, and 
also relieye certain venereal complaints. The tea, besides 
being drank freely, should be applied externally, and con- 
tinued for a length of time. The medicinal qualities of 
this article are similar to those of Solanum-Dulcamara. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 219 

DIOSPYRUS PUBESCENS. Pursh. 
Downy- Persimon or Date-Plum. 
This article has the same properties as Diospyrus Vir- 
giniana. 

DIOSPYRUS VIRGINIANA. Linne. 
Persimon, Date- Plum. 
The bark of the root is astringent and strengthening, 
and when taken freely, laxative. The ripe fruit, before it 
is mellowed by the frost, possesses the first two properties 
in a less degree, and the last in a greater. Both the bark 
and the fruit have been supposed to be capable of destroy- 
ing worms. A fine gum, like gum- Arabic, exudes from the 
tree. The bark of the root is recommended in the second- 
ary stage of bowel complaints, in canker of the mouth, 
worms, &c. The gum may be used as a substitute for 
gum- Arabic. 

ERIGERON BELLIDJFOLIUM. Willdenow. 
Robert' s-PIantain, Rattle-snake' 's-PIantain, Purple-Daisy. 

This plant has the same sensible properties, and medi- 
cinal powers, as Csenotus Canadensis. 

ERIGERON PHILADELPHICUM. Linne. 
Skevish, Philadelphia Flea-bane. 
This has the same sensible properties, and medicinal 
powers, as Csenotus Canadensis. 

ERYNGIUM F^ETIDUM. Linne. 
Stinking- Eryngo, Stinking- Holly . 
This article has a very disagreeable smell . Pursh informs 



220 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

us that it is in high repute among the savages of this coun- 
try, as a medicine, but does not inform us how it is used. 
It probably possesses the properties of Eryngium Yucci- 
folium, which see, for preparatories, and cases to which it 
is suited. 

ERYNGIUM YUCCIFOLIUM. Michaux. 

Button- Snakeroot. 

The root of this plant has a pnngent bitter and aromatic 
taste, and when chewed it excites a flow of saliva. A 
strong tea of this root promotes perspiration, assists in 
raising phlegm from the lungs, and if taken freely, some- 
times vomits. It resembles Seneca snakeroot, but is pre- 
ferred by many to that article. 

ERYTHRONIUM LANCEOLATUM. Pursli. 

Adder's -tongue, Adder's -violet, Dog's-tooth-violet. 

This article is capable both of vomiting and increasing 
the discharge by urine; and is a remedy adapted to most 
cases of dropsy. The juice of the recent plant may be 
given in doses of a table-spoonful, or prepared in wine or 
cider, it may be given to twice the quantity, as circum- 
stances require. . 

EUOSMUS BENZOIN. NiUtall 
Spice-bush, Spice-wood, Benjamin-tree. 
A strong tea made by steeping or boiling the bark and 
twigs of this shrub, is considerably efficacious in promo- 
ting perspiration, and is a grateful beverage in fevers. 
The powdered bark has been recommended as a remedy 
for worms. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 221 

EUOSMUS SASSAFRAS. Nuttall. 
Sassafras. 
A strong tea made by steeping the bark, especially of the 
root, promotes perspiration, and the discharge of urine. It 
is useful in the early stages of low fevers, in gout, rheu- 
matism, and a variety of eruptions of the skin. It like- 
wise assists other medicines in old venereal complaints, and 
is something of a restorative after a mercurial course. A 
tea made of the pith of the twigs is mucilaginous, and is 
useful if drunk freely, in gravel and suppressions of urine. 
The essential oil, obtained by distillation, is a good appli- 
cation to old strains and inveterate cases of chronic rheu- 
matism, creek in the back, &c. 

EUPATONIUM PERFOLIATUM. Linne. 
Thorough-wort, Thorough-stem, Thorough-wax, Cross-wort, 

Bone-set, Indian- Sage, Ague-weed, Vegetable-antimony. 

This article is very nauseously bitter to the taste. By 
different preparation and management, it may be made to 
produce a variety of effects. A strong tea prepared be- 
long steeping, or by boiling, and taken freely while warm, 
may, according to the quantity, be made either to produce 
perspiration and assist in raising phlegm from the lungs, or 
to purge, or to vomit. Taken cold, and in more moderate 
quantity, it gives strength. In one or other of these meth- 
ods, it may be useful in common cold, influenza, malignant 
pleurisy, low-fevers, agues, indigestion, and weakness in 
general, being managed as above directed, according to the 
effect desired. 

EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. Linne. 
Queen-of-the-Meadow, Trumpet-weed, Gravel-weed. 
The leaves have similar properties to thorough-wort, 



222 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

but are considerably weaker and less liable to vomit and 
purge. The root in substance, powdered or grated, or in 
the form of strong tea, made by boiling, increases the dis- 
charge by urine, and strengthens the urinary organs. It 
is useful in suppressions of urine, bloody urine, gravel, and 
weakness of these parts generally. It has some popular 
reputation in chronic rheumatism; but it is uncertain with 
what reason. 

EUPATORIUM TEUCRIFOLIUM. Willdenow. 

Wild- Hoarliound . 

The leaves of this plant are bitter to the taste. When 
made into a tea, either by steeping or boiling, and drank 
warm, it promotes perspiration. If taken very freely, it 
vomits and purges moderately. If the tea is taken cold, 
it strengthens the stomach and bowels, and promotes the 
uninary discharge. 

FRASERA VERTICILLATA. Muhlenberg. 

Pyramid-flower, Colomba-of -Marietta, Wild-Colomba, Ameri- 
can T^olomba. 

The root is bitter and rather sickish to the taste. It is 
a good strengthening remedy, possessing in its recent state 
considerable vomiting and purgative power, which is not 
altogether lost by drying. It is well adapted to the sec- 
ondary stages of low fever, and may be taken earlier than 
most other articles of the kind. It is useful, likewise, in 
chronic weakness of the stomach, especially when attended 
with costiveness. It has been supposed to resemble the 
foreign colomba, but it is much more like gentian. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 223 

GALIUM CIRCjEZANS. Michaux. 

Wild Liquorice. 

The taste of this plant resembles the liquorice of the 
shops, and in the form of strong tea it is much used for it, 
in cases of cough, dryness and irritation of the throat, &e. 
It must, however, be admitted to be considerably inferior 
to it, for these purposes. The tea is sometimes used in 
cases of colds, as a laxative, for young children and infants. 
Its effects are probably very moderate. 

GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS. Linne. 

Winter green, Mountain-tea, . Deer-berry, Partridge-berry, 
Grouse-berry, Tea-berry, Ground-Holly, Ground-Ivy, 
Spice-berry. 

A very elegant essential oil is obtained by distillation, 
which is quite a heating perspirative. It is useful in spas- 
modic asthma, in irritation about the urinary organs, lower 
intestines and womb, when not accompanied with any in- 
flammatory disposition. It likewise relieves cramps, from 
air in the stomach, &c. The leaves in substance are 
quite astringent as well as spicy. The tea, which is much 
used by common people, contains but little of the virtue of 
the plant. 

GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. Elliott. 

Carolina Jessamine, Yellow Jessamine. 

The flowers and root, and probably the other parts of 
this beautiful shrub, are a poison, of that kind called by 
physicians narcotic. The root, steeped in spirit, has been 
used successfully for the cure of rheumatism. 



224 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

GERANIUM MACULATUM. Linne. 
Crane* s-hill, Allum-root, Flux-root, American Tormentil, 
Crowfoot, Spotted Geranium. 
The root is a pure and strong astringent, much prefera- 
ble to the kino of the shops. It may be used with advan- 
tage in bleedings accompanied with weakness, the secondary 
stages of laxes, in the whites, gleet, &c. ; likewise in old 
gravelly cases, and as a gargle in canker and thrush. 
Dry powder, strong tea, or a preparation in . spirit, are all 
good forms to give it in. 

GEUM NUTANS. Rafinesque. 
Water-Avens, Avens-root, Herb-Bennet. 
The root of this plant is a strong astringent and strength- 
ening medicine. The powder, or a very strong tea made 
by boiling, is good in bleedings, the secondary stages of 
bowel complaints, sore mouths, &c. A weaker tea is good 
in chronic complaints of the lungs, indigestion, and weak- 
ness generally. It should be drunk with food, as it is a 
pretty good substitute for tea and coffee. 

GILLENIA STIPULACEA. Barton. 
Indian Physic, American Ipecac. 
The root of this plant is recommended .for the purposes 
of a vomit, in all cases where the South- American Ipecac- 
uanha would be proper. Its medium dose is considered to 
be twenty or thirty grains of the dry powder. 

GILLENIA TRIFOLIATA. Moench. 
Beaumont's or Bowman? s-root, Indian Physic, American 
Ipecacuanha. 
The bark of this root, like that of Gillenia stipulacea, 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 225 

is considered to be emetic, like ipecacuanha from South 
America. It may be given in the same doses and in the 
same cases as ipecac. 

GOSSIPIUM HERBACEUM. Linne. 

Cotton Plant. 
The wool which invests the seeds has been highly re- 
commended as an application to burns, but on repeated 
trial it is found to produce no beneficial effects that may 
not be better obtained some other way ; and its employ- 
ment frequently interferes with the use of better remedies, 
and often does much mischief. It is a useful application 
to indolent, irritable, and vitiated ulcers, and of course to 
burns, when degenerated into such a state. 

HEDEOM A PULEGIOIDES. Persoon. 
American Pennyroyal. 
This plant makes an excellent sweating herb-tea in the 
forming or cold stage of fevers and colds. A fine essential 
oil is obtained from it by distillation, which is not inferior 
to the oil of marjoram, as an external application in bruises, 
sprains, chronic rheumatism, &c. Taken internally in 
small quantity, it relieves cramps, pains in the stomach, 
&c, and promotes the effect of opium and astringents in 
checking cholera and laxes. Taken freely in the cold and 
sinking stages of some low fevers, it does good ; also in 
hooping and spasmodic coughs. A drop or two put daily 
into the ear, in cases of deafness, from palsy of the nerve, 
sometimes cures. 

HELENIUM AU-TtjMNALE. Linne. 
Sneeze-weed. 

The leaves and flowers of this plant possess the power 
10* 



226 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

of exciting sneezing. The flowers are the strongest, and 
especially the central parts of them. A very small quan- 
tity of these reduced to a powder between the fingers or 
otherwise, produces a strong and durable impression, with- 
out any violent or dangerous effect. This article may be 
employed by itself, or in combination with other articles. 
Articles of this sort have sometimes been useful in certain 
kinds of inflammation of the eyes, in blindness, from palsy 
of the nerve of sight, in deafness, ear-ache, head-ache, and 
in rheumatic affections of the jaws and neighbouring parts. 
The whole plant is intensely bitter to. the taste, and is 
recommended as a substitute for chamomile, which it re- 
sembles in sensible properties. 

HELONIAS DIOICA. Pursh. 

Unicorn, DeviVs-hit, Blazing-star, Star-icort, Colic-root. 

The roots are intensely bitter, and are a good strength- 
ening medicine, particularly calculated to improve the 
state of the stomach. In obstinate vomitings it frequently 
gives speedy relief, and that even in cases of pregnancy. 
In chronic weakness, and in fever and ague, it is capable 
of effecting a cure in a majority of cases. It is reputed to 
be capable of destroying worms, and has been suspected 
of possessing anodyne properties, from the fact that it re- 
lieves some cases of colic. A strong tea, made by steep- 
ing, is the common method of using it. 

HELONIAS ERYTHROSPERMA. Michaux. 

Fly-poison, Star-ivort. 

The root is a poison, of that kind called by physicians 
narcotic. It is capable of stupefying insects, and even 
rats. It is a useful article, belonging to that class of med- 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 227 

icines in which opium, foxglove, thorn-apple, &c, are 
placed. It should not be used, except by physicians. It 
may be reduced to a pulp in a mortar with honey or mo- 
lasses, or it may be given in the form of tea, and probably 
prepared in spirit. 

HEPATICA TRILOBA. Willdenow. 
Liver-wort, Herb- Trinity. 
The leaves are moderately astringent and strengthening, 
and have been supposed to be suited to cases of disordered 
stomach and liver, in connexion. Dry powder in doses of 
a tea-spoonful, or strong tea drank freely, is the customary 
preparation. This article is, in reality, worth little. 

HEUCHERA VISCIDA. Pursh. 

Alum-root, American Sanicle* 

This root is roughly astringent to the taste, possessing 

very little character beside. Its properties are similar to 

those of geranium maculatum, which see, for preparations 

and doses, and cases to which it may be suited. 

HIBISCUS PALUSTRIS. Linne. 
Marsh- Mallows . 
This root, by boiling, affords a great abundance of a 
good mucilage, which is useful in hoarseness, pleurisies, 
dysenteries, gravel, strangury, and scalding of urine. 

HUMULUS LUPULUS. Linne. 

Hop. 
The medicinal powers of the hop depend entirely upon 
the yellow powder, which is so abundant in the fruit. It 
is strengthening and anodyne, and in some cases is a tolera- 



228 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

ble substitute for opium. This powder is best taken in 
the form of a pill, but it is sometimes used steeped in 
spirit. It is useful in indigestion, hysterics, melancholy, 
vapours, obstinate watchfulness, chronic rheumatism, &c. 
A strong tea, made by boiling the roots, is useful to promote 
perspiration in the last mentioned disease. 

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. Ellis. 

Yellow -root. 
The root of this plant is one of our strongest and purest 
simple bitters, and strengthening remedies, It may be 
given in the form of powder, or of strong tea, made by 
boiling, in indigestion, the secondary stages of low fevers, 
and all cases of weakness in general. The tea, when cold, 
and carefully strained, is supposed to be an efficacious 
wash in many cases of inflamed eyes. 

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER. Linne. 
Henbane , Black-Henbane. 
The extract, and inspissated expressed juice of this plant, 
has been recommended as a substitute for opium ; and in 
some instances it has appeared to answer very well, but in 
general it will be found to fall infinitely short of it. It is 
uncertain, both in relieving pain, and producing sleep, and 
it is liable to produce nausea and dizziness. Besides, in 
order to produce any continued effect, the dose must be 
very rapidly increased, and even then it soon ceases to give 
the desired relief. It is recommended only to alleviate 
pain, and produce sleep. 

HYPERICUM PARVIFLORUM. Willdenow. 
Low- Centaury. 
The whole of this plant has a moderately bitter and 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 229 

excessively disagreeable taste. It has had considerable 
popular reputation as a strengthening remedy in indiges- 
tion, loss of appetite, and weakness generally, but it is not 
likely ever to come into much repute, so long as we have 
so many preferable articles. Strong tea, made by boiling, 
is its most proper form, 

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM. Linne. 

John' 's -wort. 

This plant is an acrid, and rather unpleasant bitter. It 

has been considered to be a good strengthening remedy, 

but is at present entirely out of use. The leaves given in 

substance, have been reputed to destroy worms. 

ILEX OPACA. Aiton. 
American Holly. 
The berries of this tree are strongly purgative, and, taken 
to the number of fifteen or twenty, excite vomiting. It is 
probable that in the form of sirup, prepared like that of 
Buck-thorn-berries, it would be a useful addition to the 
medicines now in use. The inspissated juice, wrought into 
pills, would quite likely be another convenient form of 
preparation. 

IMPERATORIA OSTRUTHIUM. Linne. 
Master -wort. 
The roots and seeds are a strong, but not very pleasant 
aromatic. They have been used internally, to relieve 
cramps of the stomach, and pain from flatulence, and like- 
wise to promote the effect of common bitter, and strength- 
ening remedies. It is much more used, however, in the 
form of strong tea, made by boiling, for injections in cases 
of colic, and distention of the bowels with air, &c. 

20 



230 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

INULA HELENIUM. Linne. 
Elecampane. 
The recent root has a pleasant, spicy smell, and some 
pungency and bitterness to the taste. In substance, or in 
the form of strong tea, made by boiling, it relieves hoarse- 
ness, chronic coughs, &c. It has been supposed to possess 
some efficacy in removing obstructions of the bowels. 

IRIS GRACILIS. Bigelow. 
The root of this species has the same medicinal and 
other properties as Iris versicolor and Virginica, 

IRIS VERSICOLOR. Linne. 

Blue-Flag, Flower-de-Lnce. 
The root has a very nauseous taste, which is soon fol- 
lowed by a sense of heat, and pungency. A few grains of 
it, in a recent state, is an active and certain purgative, 
very apt, however, to produce nausea and languor. By 
drying, its powers are considerably impaired, and a much 
larger quantity is necessary. These roots, made into a 
strong tea, or steeped in spirits, promote the discharge of 
urine, and are often capable of curing dropsies. An oint- 
ment made of them, when fresh, if sufficiently strong, 
cures the itch, and many other eruptions of the skin, and 
is a good application to inflamed breasts, and to indolent, 
inirritable, and vitiated ulcers. 

IRIS VIRGINICA. Linne. 
Flower -de-Luce. 
The root of this species has the same properties as Iris 
versicolor, and may be prepared and used in the same way, 
and in the same cases. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 231 



JEFFERSONIA DIPHYLLA. Barton. 

The root of this article has the same medicinal properties 
as that of Podophyllum pellatum. 

JUGLANS CINEREA. Linne. 
Butternut, Oil-nut, White-Walnut. 

An extract from the inner bark of this tree, especially 
of the root, operates as a purgative, in doses of fifteen, 
twenty, or thirty grains. Age impairs its power. It seems 
to be peculiarly suited to cases of habitual costiveness, and 
has been considered almost a specific in diarrhoea and dys- 
entery. 

The bark of the root should be collected in May or June ; 
after cleaning, cutting and bruising, should have eight 
times its weight of water added to it; it should then be 
boiled to one half, strained through thick cloth, and after- 
wards evaporated to the consistence of thick honey, at 
such a distance from a fire that it shall not be burnt in the 
least. It may then be dried in a warm oven till it will 
pill ; take four or five pills, the size of a pea. 

Note. — All extracts should be thus made; if they are burnt, they 
are effectually spoiled. 

JUNI-PERUS DEPRESSUS Rofinesque. 
American- Juniper. 

The berries, prepared by boiling in water or steeping in 
spirit, promote the discharge of urine, and are used in 
dropsies, but they are rather to be employed to promote the 
effect of other articles, than relied on alone. The leaves, 
prepared by boiling in water, and applied externally, cure * 
itch, and some other eruptions of the skin. Taken inter- 



232 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

nally, this same preparation is serviceable in chronic 
rheumatism, and suppression of the monthly evacuation 
of women, when unaccompanied with any inflammatory 
symptoms. The whole virtues of this article reside in an 
essential oil, which may be obtained by distillation. In its 
pure state, its medicinal qualities are somewhat similar to 
oil of turpentine. 

LACTUCA ELONGATA. Muhlenberg. 
Tall-Lettuce, Wild-Lettuce. 
The expressed inspissated juice is anodyne, and promotes 
the discharge by urine, and likewise favours perspiration, 
and obviates costiveness. It is recommended in dropsies 
proceeding from obstructions in some internal part, par- 
ticularly in dropsy of the chest, accompanied with trouble- 
some difficulty of breathing. Hooping cough, and other 
spasmodic diseases of the organs of respiration, are some- 
times relieved by it. A commencing dose may be four or 
five grains, four times a-day, and gradually increased to 
as many drachms in the twenty-four hours. It is probable 
that the inspissated sap would possess the same properties 
as that of common lettuce. - 

LACTUCA SATIVA. Linne. 
Common Lettuce, Garden Lettuce. 
A strong tea, made by steeping the dry plant, collected 
when in flower, is pleasantly bitter to the taste, and pro- 
motes perspiration, at the same time that it alleviates pain 
and occasions sleep. It must be drank freely. The sap 
of the plant, collected like that of the poppy, and dried in 
the air, bears considerable resemblance to opium. It may 
be used for the same purposes, but must be given in much 
larger doses. A drachm in the form of pills is said to be 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 233 

a suitable dose. It may be prepared in spirit, like opium, 
and used in tea-spoonful doses. It is supposed to be pecu- 
liarly adapted to chronic coughs, and consumptions, in 
which opium sometimes produces troublesome costiveness. 

LEONTODON TARAXACUM. Linne. 

Dandelion. 
A strong tea, made by boiling the root, or an extract in 
the form of pills, tends to remove obstructions in the bow- 
els, and promote the discharge of urine. It is recom- 
mended in diseases of the skin, dropsy, tubercular con- 
sumption, jaundice, and other obstructions of the liver, and 
in incipient schirrhus of the stomach. It must be taken 
freely. 

LEONURUS CARDIACA. Linne. 
Mother-wort. 
A strong tea, made by boiling this plant, or the expressed 
juice, has similar medicinal powers to valerian, and is use- 
ful in many nervous and hysterical complaints, particularly 
in that peculiar restlessness to which hysterical people are 
subject. It seems to possess the power of relieving mod- 
erate hysterical tendency, and of giving strength to the 
stomach. 

LIRIODENDRON TULPIFERA. Linne. 
Tulip-tree, White-poplar, White-wood. 
The bark of the root is a pungent aromatic bitter, and is 
much used in combination with other pure but less heating 
bitters. 

LOBELIA INFLATA. Linne. 
Indian- Tobacco, Lobelia. 
Two ounces of the plant put to a pint of hot water or 



234 HOUSE SUBGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

spirit, make the first an infusion, the last a tincture ; of 
these, a tea-spoonful is a medium dose. In spasmodic 
asthma, it should be given every twenty minutes, till it 
vomits or relieves. In dropsy, every two hours, till it 
vomits, or increases urine. 

MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA. Linne. 
Cucumber Tree. 

MAGNOLIA AURICULATA. Barton. 
Indian-Physic . 

MAGNOLIA CORDATA. Michaux. 
Indian- Physic. 

MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. Linne. 
Beaver-tree, Swamp- Sassafras, Elk-bark. 
The bark of the top and root of all the species of the 
Magnolia is heating, bitter and tonic ; promoting the fluid 
secretions, and moving the bowels when used freely. Best 
used in decoction. Good in chronic rheumatisms, agues, 
and wherever the bark and other stimulants are needed. 

MALVA ROTUNDIFOLIA. Linne. 
Common Round-leaved Mallows. 
Infusion and decoction are used in dysenteries and uri- 
nary complaints, gravel, asthma, and indeed wherever a 
mucilage is wanted. 

MARRUBIUM VULGARE. Linne. 
Hoarhound. 
Expressed juice, infusion, or the plant cut up in milk. 
Bitter tonic, promotes sweat, relieves coughs and colds ; 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 235 

restores a healthy motion to the stomach and bowels; 
anodyne. 

MEGOTRYS SERPENTARIA. Rafinesque. 

Black- Cohash, Black- Snakeroot, Black-bane-berry, Squaw- 
root, Bich-weed, Battle-weed. 

This root tastes strongly bitter and spicy. In the form 
of strong tea made by steeping, it promotes perspiration 
and produces sleep. It is useful in rheumatism, hysterics, 
colics from air in the stomach and bowels, low fevers after 
evacuations, and in most cases of debility accompanied with 
troublesome nervous symptoms. It should be made strong 
and drank freely. Washing with a strong tea, cures the 
itch. Its properties have not been sufficiently investigated. 
It i.s believed to possess considerable activity. It appears 
to be more powerful in its recent than in its dry state. 
Boiling is supposed to injure it. Empyrics confound this 
article with Caulophyllum Thalictroides, but they differ in 
taste. Both were supposed by the Indians to be efficacious 
ad pardwn accelerandum. 

MELISSA CORDIFOLIA. Wildenow. 
Lemon Baum. 
Preferable to the common baum. 

MELISSA OFFICINALIS. Linne. 
Common Baum. 
A pleasant beverage in fevers. 

MELIA AZEDARACH. Willdenow. 
Pride of India. 
Substitute for Spigelia Marilandiea. 



236 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

MENTHA PIPERITA. Linne. 
Peppermint. 
Infusion and essence, warm aromatic ; expels wind, 
and relieves pains of the bowels and stomach. Highly- 
stimulant. 

MENTHA VIRIDIS. Linne. 
Common Spearmint. 
More heating and stimulant, but less pleasant than pep- 
permint. 

MONARDA DIDYMA. Linne. 
Balm of Gilead of the gardens. 
Resembles common baum in medicinal properties. 

MYRICA CERIFERA. Linne. 
Bay-Berry, Myrtle-wax, Candle-Berry. 
A powerful sneezing powder is made from the bark of the 
root, and in doses of a scruple to half a drachm, operates 
as an emetic, 

NARCISSUS PSEUDO NARCISSUS. Linne. 
Daffy, Daffodil. 
The root is much used as an emetic for children in hoop- 
ing cough, and rising of the lungs, &c. Prepared and 
given like garlic tea. 

NEPETA CATARIA. Linne. 

Catnip, Catmint. 

Elegant warm cordial aromatic. Infusion promotes per- 
spiration. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 237 

NICOTIANA QUADRIVALVIS. Pursh, 
Ricara, or Mandane Tobacco. 
This is a fine new species of tobacco lately found in 
Louisiana, and now cultivated in many parts of the union. 
This plant, though smaller, is much more mild and grate- 
ful than the common tobacco. The Indians prepare a most 
elegant and delicate tobacco from the dried flowers. 

NICOTIANA TABACCUM. Linne. 
Common Tobacco. 
The use, and abuse of this article is too well known ; 
an ointment may be prepared from it for irritable ulcers. 
Should not be put into injections. 

ORIGANUM VULGARE. Linne. 

Wild Marjoram. 

Infusion, a warm cordial and stimulant, and stomachic. 

The essential oil is a heating stimulating application in the 

secondary stages of sprains and bruises, and in numbness 

of the limbs. 

OROBANCHE VIRGINIANA. Linne. 
Beech-Drops, Cancer-Root, Broom-Rape, Virginica. 
Substance, infusion, and decoction, all good, applied to 
foul ulcers, cancerous affections, sore mouths. Internally, 
in secondary stages of dysentery, diarrhoea. 

OXALIS STRICT A. Linne. 

Common Wood- Sorrel, Toad- Sorrel. 
Bruised in water, it makes a cooling acid beverage in 
fevers and measles, and boiled in milk produces a fine acid 
whey. Good, applied to indolent ulcers ; bad to irritable 
ones. 



239 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

PANAX aUINQUEFOLIUM. Linne. 
Ginseng. 
Moderate aromatic. Bitter sweating medicine. 

PAPAVER SOMNTFERUM. Linne. 
Great Red and White Poppy. 
From these may be obtained, by all who will take the 
trouble, the genuine opium. It should be collected by slit- 
ting the exterior rind of the head, as the blossoms fall off, 
and scraping the milky juice off with a knife as it dries. 
It should be sun-dried. 

Poppy leaves and tops make a poultice very soothing to 
painful inflammatory affections around the face and head. 

PAVIA RUBRA. Persoon. 
Buck-eye. 

The young branches, and the powdered seeds, possess 
the property denominated by physicians narcotic, which 
denotes a combination of exhilarating and stupefying quali- 
ties. The parts above mentioned, bruised, and thrown into 
a small pool of water, cause small fish to rise to the sur- 
face, almost lifeless, so that they may be taken with the 
hand. Such fish may be eaten, without any hazard or in- 
convenience. 

Physicians may apply this article to the cure of such 
diseases as rthey think proper. The root of the shrub is 
used as a substitute for soap in washing woollen clothes. 

PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. Linne. 
Poke-weed, Scoke, Coakwn, Cunicmn, Garget. 
The bruised leaves, expressed juice, and an ointment 
prepared from the leaves, may all be used with benefit in 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 239 

chronic inflammation, chronic rheumatism, in secondary 
stages of venereal disease, scrofulous and cancerous affec- 
tions, in itch, ringworm, piles, &c, to foul ulcers, the 
milder species of whitlow. For the same purposes a tinc- 
ture of the seeds may be used internally. Infusion of the 
dried root vomits. 

PINCKNEYA PUBENS. Michaux, 

Georgia Bark- Tree. 
May be substituted for Peruvian bark. 

PODALYRIA TINCTORIA. Michaux. 
Wild- Indigo, Indigo-iveed . 
Bruised to a pulp, or a decoction, or made into an oint- 
ment; it cleans foul ulcers, relieves painful swellings, and 
irritable sores. 

PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. Linne. 

May-apple, Mandrake, Duck' 's -foot. 
Excellent purgative ; powdered root similar to jalap, 
operating more kindly in less doses, though equally effectual. 

POTENTILLA SIMPLEX. Michaux. 

Five-finger, CinquefoiL 
Infusion is astringent and tonic ; may be used for tea ; 
relieves urinary complaints. 

POLYGALA SENEGA. 

Seneca-RatlJesnake-root. 

Powder of the root in doses of thirty grains or more, 

pukes and purges. Is useful in smaller doses in low fevers, 

particularly in lung complaints, dropsy, croup. It may 



240 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

be given in infusion and decoction. Indians use it for the 
bite of the rattlesnake. 

POPULUS BALSAMIFERA. Linne. 

Balm of Gilead-tree, Balsam- Poplar. 
Bark, good bitter and tonic. The buds afford an acrid 
resinous juice, good in foul ulcers. 

PRENANTES SERPENTARIA. Pursh. 

Lion'sfoot Snakeroot. 

The milky juice or substance of the root is celebrated in 

diseases, of a maglignant tendency. Bite of mad dog. In 

bites of venomous serpents, particularly x>f the rattlesnake. 

PYRE THRUM PARTHENUM. Willdenow. 
Fever -few, Feather few. 
Infusion, an aromatic tonic peculiarly appropriate to hys- 
terics, and other female complaints. 

QUERCUS ALBA. Linne. 
White- Oak-bark. 
Astringent and tonic, in powder or decoction. It should 
be given in the secondary stages of all fluxes ; in bleedings 
from relaxed vessels; may be applied to foul ulcers, in 
cases of mortification; to decayed relaxed limbs and to 
old sprains and bruises. 

RANUNCULUS ACRIS. Linne. 
Crowfoot, Buttercups. 
The bruised root applied to the skin produces a deep and 
thorough blister. Good where a lasting blister is wanted, 
in diseases of the joints, and old deep-seated pains. Where 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 241 

eruptions strike in it may be applied to redden the skin 
without blistering. 

RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. Willdenow. 
Rose- Bay -Laurel, Mountain-Laurel. 
Stimulant, bitter tonic and anodyne ; good in old rheu- 
matic pains. 

RHUS TOXICODENDRON. Linne. 

Poison-Oak, Mercury. 

Better let alone than used by the common people. 
Highly poisonous. Physicians may give it in palsies. 

RICINUS COMMUNIS. Linne. 
Palma Christi* 
Castor-oil is expressed from the kernel of the fruit. 

ROSA DAMASCENA. Alton. 
Damask- Rose. 
Infusion of the flowers are purgative. 

ROSAGALLICA. Linne. 
Red-Rose. 
The flowers are a pleasant astringent. Good for inflamed 
eyes and sore mouth. 

RUMEX OBTQSIFOLIUS. Linne. 
Broad-leaved- Dock. 
The powder or decoction of the root is purgative. The 
root beaten with lard, or in decoction, is celebrated for 
curing salt rheum. 

11 21 



242 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

SABBATIA ANGULARIS. Pi 

American Centaury. 
An Infusion or decoction is essentially serviceable in 
chronic weakness of the stomach, in low fevers, and 
wherever a pure tonic is needed. 

SALIX ERIOCEPHALA. Midiaux. 

Swamp, Rose, or Puss- Willow. 

Decoction in milk good in the secondary stages of the 

bowel complaints of children. Strong decoction good in 

canker, ulcerous sore throat, diarrhoea. Tops hittei and 

tonic, useful in agues, 

SALIX VITICELLINA. Linne. 

Common Yellow- Willow. 
Good bitter tonic in agues, and in chronic weakness of 
the stomach. 

SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS, Urine. 

Common Elder. 
The flowers are laxative for children. Juice of the ber- 
ries made into a rob, answers the same purpose. The 
pulp of the bark makes a good ointment for burns and irri- 
table sores. The bark is purgative. 

SAMBUCUS PUBENS. Michaux. 

Mountain- Elder. 
A decoction of the tops vomits and moves the bowels, 
and increases urine. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 243 

SANGUINARTA CANADENSIS. Linns. 
Blood- Root, Pitccoon. 

Infusion and tincture are emetic ; in smaller doses they 
promote fluid secretions, check the frequency of the pulse, 
remove obstructions, assist digestion, and restore healthy 
motion to the liver, stomach and bowels. It relieves coughs, 
and loosens phlegm. Dose to puke, fifteen or twenty grains 
of the powder. To make a tincture, cut in small pieces 
the recent root, half fill a vial of it, and the rest of the 
vessel fill with spirits or wine. Dose, a tea-spoonful for an 
adult, once in three or four hours to produce a tonic effect, 
and often repeated, or by the table-spoonful to puke. 

This is a good ingredient in stomachic bitters. 

It is said the natives use it to cure bites of serpents. 
Cures croup if given freely in season. 

SANICULA MARILANDICA. Linne. 
Black- Srtakeroot, Sanicle. 
Infusion, warm cordial ; stimulant, and promotes per- 
spiration and other secretions. 

SATUREJA HORTENSIS. Linne. 
Savory of the Gardens, 
Infusion warmest and most stimulating of the garden 
herbs. 

SCUTELLARIA INTEGRIFOLIA. Linne. 
Scull- Cap, 
This beautiful plant is a very pure and highly intense 
bitter. Substitute for quassia. 

SENECIO VULGARIS. Linne. 
Groundsel. 
Strong infusion, good vomit. The bruised leaves good 
applied to boils ; substance good for worms. 



244 HOUSE SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. 

SMILAX ROTUNDIFOLIA. Linne. 
Green-brier, Devil's -guts. 
Infusion is useful drank after a course of mercury, and 
in eruptive diseases, and in chronic rheumatism. 

SOLANUM NIGRUM. Linne. 

Night-shade, Black Night-shade. 

Infusion, (half an ounce to a pint of water,) drank freely, 
relieves stoppage of urine, good in old scrofulous ulcers 
and tumors. The berries enter into an ointment of the 
common people, which is used to relieve painful tumors. 

SOLIDAGO ODORA. Alton. 
Golden-rod, Siveet-scented Golden-rod. 
Infusion a pleasant diluting beverage in fevers. 

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. Willdenow. 

Co. rolina-jnnk, Indian-pink . 
A strong infusion drank at evening till a slight intoxica- 
ting effect is produced, and followed by calomel and rhu- 
barb, destroys worms. Given to children in small doses 
at inte v vals, relieves pain in the bowels, stops puking in 
irritable stomachs, and checks the slow remittent fever 
which usually precedes dropsy in the head. 

SPIR^A TOMENTOSA. Linne. 

Hard-hack, Downy -meadow-sweet. 

The leaves in infusion, make a delicate, yet effectual 

astringent ; excellent in relaxed bowels, thrush, ulcers of 

the mouth; a fine extract is prepared from the leaves, 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 245 

which retains the medical virtues of the plant in perfection ; 
a fine remedy for bleedings from the stomach and bowels, 
and in short wherever an astringent is wanted. 

STATICE LIMONIUM. Linne. 
Marsh Rosemary. 
The roots of this plant are powerfully astringent ; decoc- 
tion is good in ulcerous sore throat. Good against thrush 
and canker, and in malignant quinsies. 

STILLINGIA SYLVATICA. Linne. 
Yaw-weed, Cock -up -hat. 
Purgative, promotes fluid secretions, good in dropsy, 
yaw, and venereal complaints. 

SYMPLOCARPUS FCETIDA. Saslibury. 

Skunk Callage. 

The root is a pungent antispasmodic in colics, and 

griping of the bowels. Seeds good in asthma and hysterical 

complaints. Leaves bruised relieves painful swellings, 

whitlows. &c. 

TANACETUM VULGARE. Linne. 

Tansey. 
Aromatic, tonic. Removes obstructions, relieves hys- 
terical affections. Expressed juice postpones agues, should 
be drank a wine-glass full a few minutes before the attack. 

TEPHROSTA YIRGINIANA. Persoon. 
Goat-tree, Cat-gut. 
Root in decoction destroys worms. 



246 house surgeon and physician. 

TRILLIUM ERECTUM. Linne. 
Trillium, Birth-root. 
Good in bleeding. It is said the natives use it, ad 
'par turn accelerandum . 

TRIOSTIUM PERFOLIATUM. Linne. 
Fever-wort, Wild-Gentian, Bastard Ipecac. 
Bark of the root vomits and purges like jalap, and in the 
same doses. In smaller doses removes obstructions of the 
liver. Tonic in scrofula, in yet smaller doses. 

ULMUS FULVA. Michaux. 
Red-Elm, Slippery -Elm. 
Mucilaginous, and slightly astringent. 

URASPERMUM CLAYTONI. Nuttall 
Sweet-Cicely . 
The root is mucilaginous and starchy, and has an agree- 
able fennel-like odour. It is recommended to relieve the 
secondary stages of coughs, hoarseness, etc. In all prob- 
ability an essential oil, similar to that from solidago odora, 
might be obtained from it. 

VERATRUM VIRIDE. Aiton. 
Green-Hellebore. 
Ointment and decoction cure the itch and other erup- 
tions, but is apt to excoriate tender parts ; violent poison 
taken internally. 

VERBENA HASTATA. Linne. 

Blue-Flowered- Vervain, (large.) 
Strong decoction is purgative, and in large doses vomits. 



AMERICAN REMEDIES. 247 

VIOLA PEDATA. 
Parsley-leaved Violet. 
Strong decoction ; good in catarrhs, and affections of the 
lungs; given in larges quantities, vomits. 

ZAXTHORIZA APIIFOLTA. VHeritier. 
Shrub- Yellow-Root. 
A strong pleasant bitter; sits easy on the stomach. 

ZANTHOXYLUM RAMIFLORUM. Michaux. 
Prickly -Ash. 
Warm pungent aromatic in substance or tincture ; water 
does not extract the virtues at all. Good in chronic rheu- 
matism, and in other diseases where guaiacum is proper. 
A good ingredient in bitters. 



APPENDIX. 



OF WATER. 
[Taken from Thompson's London Dispensatory.] 

Water is an agent of great importance, independent of 
the part it sustains in the magnificent operations of nature. 
Its efficacy in the cure of diseases is indubitable ; yet it is 
not admitted into the list of materia medica, or any of the 
British Pharmacopoeias, either in the state in which it is 
most commonly found, or that in which it holds in solution, 
substances from which it receives new properties, and is 
rendered capable of producing important changes in the 
animal economy. In the first state it is denominated com- 
mon water ; in the second, mineral water ; and under 
both of these forms, it is necessary that its qualities and 
effects should be known and well understood. 

I. COMMON WATER. 

The usual appearance of water is too well known to 
require description. It retains its fluidity under the ordi- 
nary pressure of the atmosphere, and at any degree of 
temperature between 32 and 212°, Fah. ; but under 32°, it 
crystalizes and becomes solid, and is changed into ice; and 
above 212°, assumes an aeriform character, or becomes 
steam, expanding to 1893 times its ordinary bulk. One 
cubic inch of pure water at 60^, and under a pressure of the 
atmosphere indicated by 30° of the barometer, weighs 
252,422 grains, one thirty-third of a grain less than two 
hundred fifty-two grains and an half. 

Although water is almost universally diffused over the 
surface of the earth, yet it is not found perfectly pure in 
any place; which is owing to its great solvent powers, ena- 
11* 



250 APPENDIX. 

bling it to take up a portion of many things, with which it 
must come in contact in its natural state. These impreg- 
nations, however, are not sufficient in general to give it any- 
very sensible taste or odour, or render it unfit for the ordi- 
nary purposes of life ; and it is in this state that common 
water is usually obtained. Common water varies con- 
siderably according to the source whence it is derived, and 
other circumstances ; but all the varieties may be reduced 
under the three following heads : — 

1. Rain Water — Aqua pluvialis, 

2. Spring Water — Aqua fontana, 

3. River Water — AquafluviatU's. 

1. Rainwater is the purest kind of natural water; but, 
it nevertheless contains in solution, in every 100 cubic 
inches, 3 1-2 cubic inches of air, rather more oxygenous 
than common atmospherical air, and about one cubic inch 
of carbonic acid gas, (fixed air,) besides minute portions 
of carbonate of lime and muriate of lime. Its specific 
gravity scarcely differs from that of distilled water; and 
after precipitating the muriate of lime, by dropping into it 
a little barytic water, and exposing it to the atmosphere 
until the precipitate be totally deposited, it is sufficiently 
pure for most pharmaceutical purposes. When rainwater, 
however, is collected in towns, or from the roofs of houses, 
it contain a small portion of sulphate of lime, soot, and 
other impurities, and requires to be boiled and filtered before 
dropping in the barytic water. 

Snow water, when nearly melted, is destitute of air, 
which is the reason that fish cannot live in it : but when 
allowed to remain for some time exposed to the atmosphere, 
it does not differ in its qualities from rain water. 

2. Spring w t ater, if it has not filtered through a very 
soluble soil, is almost as pure as rain water. The best 
springs are those which rise through sand or gravel, at a 
small depth. It generally contains, besides the above- 
mentioned ingredients, a small portion of muriate of soda, 
(common salt.) 

Well or pump water, which is spring water obtained by 
digging to a considerable depth, is by no means so pure. 
It is commonly distinguished by a property named hard- 



APPENDIX. 251 

ness, implying an incapability of dissolving soap* ; which 
is owing to its containing many earthy salts, the principle 
of which is sulphate of lime, {'plaster of Paris.) It also 
contains more carbonic acid gas than common spring water. 
Many of the foreign ingredients contained in hard-water 
are simply suspended in it; for pump water is rendered 
softer and purer by only passing it through a filtering stone. 

The best method of freeing hard water of its earthy salts, 
is first to boil it ; then, after it has cooled, to drop into it an 
alkaline carbonate, (pearlash or the like;) and lastly to filter 
it. It cannot be employed for pharmaceutical purposes. 

3. River water, when the stream is rapid, and runs 
over a pebbly or siliceous channel, is as pure as the softer 
spring water; but when the current is slow, and the bed 
clayey, it approaches nearer to the nature of well water, 
and frequently contains pu trifled vegetable and animal 
matters, as is generally the case in the water of lakes and 
marshes. 

Such are the foreign ingredients contained in common 
water. Boiling frees it from air and gases, and precipi- 
tates many of the earthy salts ; but distillation in glass ves- 
sels frees it entirely from them, and it is obtained almost per- 
fectly pure, transparent, colourless, insipid, and inodorous. 

The varieties of water above enumerated may be almost 
indiscriminately employed as diluents, the small proportion 
of foreign ingredients they contain occasioning no differ- 
ence in their diluent properties. When the quantity of 
sulphate of lime and aluminous matter, however, is very 
considerable, as is the case in many pump waters, there is 
some reason for concluding that deleterious efFects may 
arise from the use of the water; although it may be 
doubted whether the scrofulous and glandular swellings, 
peculiar to some populous towns, can be justly ascribed to 
this cause. Even a few of* the waters which are regarded 
as mineral waters, owe more to the diluent property of the 

* Soap when agitated with hard water is decomposed ; the alkali 
{ley) of the soap uniting with the acid of the earthy salts, while 
the oil and earths combine and form new and nearly insoluble soap, 
which swim in a curdy form on the surface of the water. 



252 APPENDIX. 

water for their efficacy, than to the impregnations they 
contain. The diluting power of water is much modified by 
temperature; warm or tepid water being a much better 
diluent than cold water. 

The medicinal properties of water as a diluent were well 
known to the ancients ; and cold water, used as a drink in 
fevers, was a principal remedy with the Father of physic 
in these complaints. The temperature of 60° is the proper 
degree, when it is intended that nature should produce its 
diluent effects without the aid of heat. Under 45°, it pro- 
duces a sedative and astringent effect; above 80° and 
under 100°, it relaxes the fibres of the stomach, and is apt 
to induce nausea, particularly when bulk is added to this 
range of temperature; but, at a higher temperature, the 
stimulus of heat, in the'same manner as the addition of 
other stimulants, prevents that effect. Simple water may 
supercede the use of all other diluents ; but animal and 
vegetable infusions are generally employed, or toast and 
water, which is more agreeable to most palates, and is an 
excellent diluent in fevers and inflammatory diseases. The 
temperature of water as a diluent should be regulated by 
the nature of the disease ; in internal bleedings the tem- 
perature should not exceed 45°, but it may be 60° in fevers; 
unless in the cold stage of the paroxysm of fever, when the 
thirst should be allayed by tepid or rain water, and other 
bland fluids ; and the same precaution is necessary when 
the sweat has become general or profuse. In cases of 
redundant bile, by drinking half a piut of tepid water every 
morning before breakfast, and taking immediately after- 
wards, moderate exercise; the acrid bile is diluted, and 
its passage through the bowels assisted, without the irrita- 
tion, which in its undiluted state it always excites; and it 
produces the same benefit in cholera morbus in the com- 
mencement of the disease, the stomach being rendered by 
it more fit to receive opiates and other remedies. Some 
medicines, as sudorifics, diuretics, and emetics, scarcely 
produce their effects, unless their operations be assisted by 
copious dilution with water or watery fluids. 

Water is also an external remedy of great importance, 



APPENDIX. 253 

but its effects are much modified by the degree of tempera- 
ture of which it is applied. 

Cold water, of a temperature under 70°, gives the sensa- 
tion of cold to the skin, and is applied under the form of 
bath or affusions. The cold bath is water of any tempera- 
ture from 42° to 85° of Fahrenheit. When the body is 
immersed in it, it first induces the sensation of cold, excites 
shivering, renders the skin pale, and contracts it so as to 
produce the papillous appearances denominated goose-skin, 
(cold pimples.) the respiration at the same time is quickened 
and rendered irregular, producing sobbings, and the pulse 
is diminished in force and velocity, but it is also rendered 
firm and more regular. If the immersion be not long con- 
tinued, reaction takes place not long after coming out of the 
bath, a glow or agreeable sensation of heat is felt over the 
whole body ; the tone or vigour of the muscles are increased, 
a buoyancy of spirit and aptitude for action succeeds, and 
a sense of general refreshment is felt by the bather. The 
protraction, however, of the immersion for a considerable 
space of time, particularly if the temperature of the bath 
be under 50°, is not followed by this reaction, but the cold 
water operates as a powerful sedative; the action of the 
heart and arteries becomes languid, the pulse ceases at the 
wrist, the animal heat is rapidly diminished, and a sensa- 
tion of coldness at the stomach is felt, which is succeeded 
by faintness, delirium, torpor and death. Sometimes these 
upleasant effects are experienced in some degree, even when 
the immersion is not protracted, at the temperature of the 
bath not under 60° ; in which case cold bathing proves 
always hurtful, and ought not to be repeated; but when 
contrary effects are experienced, it is found to be useful 
in many diseases of debility, particularly in scrofula, 
if the water be impregnated with salt, or sea bathing be 
resorted to. 

The debilitated, however, in whom the use of sea bathing 
produces these effects, when it is employed before breakfast, 
are not always affected in the same manner when it is used 
after breakfast, or when the stomach is full ; but on the 
contrary receive the same benefit from it as those with 
whom it agrees at all times. The use of cold water as a 

22 



254 appendix. 

general bath, is never employed with a view to its sedative 
effects : but for this purpose it is partially applied, either 
by the immersion of the affected parts, or by means of cloths 
dipped in very cold water, and laid over or near the f€ 

J as a remedy in active uterine ble yarns 

and sc« mflamma ren when 

from general disease, as gout and acute rheumatism, w 
surface of the pained part app tnd inflamed. 

cold affusions, or the suddenly pouring cold w 
over the whole surface of the body. ope:-, 
ful remedy, although ich are of short dura- 

tion. T iuced by the suddenness of tin 

cation affecting the nervous energy, and by the ous- 

m g a new action as 

it were of the nervous system, dissolving the spasm on the 

-erne vessels of the surface, carrying off a large porti 
of morbid heat by general evapor mainder 

by insensible perspiration, thence re the healthy 

ion of the exhalents and the capillaries. In typhus 

t this mode of applying cold water has been productive 
of the best effects. It should be applied in the first hot 
stage of the disease, if possible, and repeated every time 
the morbid heat returns. If the water can be impregnated 
with salt, so much the better; but when the dis 
advanced, its temperature should not be more than 26° under 
the heat of the body. It often stops suddenly the disease, 
if it be used during the first three days, and sometimes 
s the fifth; but after this period, it can be 
regarded as an useful auxiliary only, even while prope 
employed. In tetanus, Currie affirms, that the cold an 
sion also proves useful, particularly when the shock is consid- 
erable, and applied during ulsions. It ii -r, 
in idiopathic tetanus only that it pr; ful, noadv 
being obtained from using it in tetanus arising from wounds. 
Cold affusions, in the form of the show . are advan- 
tageously employed as a stimulant and tonic in diseases of 
debility when no fever or increased perspiration is present. 
I know of no remedy so generally useful in those affi 
which are known by the name of nervous complaint 

Wak?t water,, or of a temperature from 86° to 1( 



APPENDIX. 235 

fives the sensation of warmth to the body, and is applied 
oth loc . nerally, in the form of vapour, foment- 

and bath. Water is found in a state of nature, com- 
bined with different quantities of carloric within the above 
range of temperature; the necessary degree of tempera- 
ture, however, is generally obtained by artificially heating 
the water. 

In general the application of warm water is obtained by 

means of baths. When the greater part of the entire 

body is immersed, the water constitutes properly a bath ; 

but when half only is immersed, it is a half bath, (semicu- 

. i these may be either, 

a. The hot bath, (balneum calidum) from 97° to 100°. 

b. The tepid bath, (balneum tepidum) from 86° to 99°. 

c. The vapour bath, (balneum vaporis) from 103° to 
130°. 

The first two differ in temperature only ; but the last, 
from the water being applied in a very minutely divided 
state, acts with much greater effect than the water in the 
liquid form. The operation of the first of these forms of 
applying is stimulant ; it augments the action of the heart 
and arteries, renders the skin red, quickens respiration, 
and produces a copious flow of sweat; but the others, 
although they excite the sensation of heat, yet lessen the 
frequency of the pulse, relax powerfully the skin and simple 
solids, and diminish generally increased excitement. 

Warm and vapour baths are efficaciously employed in 
acute rheumatism, inflammation of the abdominal viscera, 
(inward parts below the midriff,) of the kidneys, bladder 
and uterus: in suppressions of urine, and in spasmodic 
affections, particularly those to which infants are liable, 
arising from teething and other irritations. The general 
relaxation produced by their use has been taken advantage 
of also, for assisting the reduction of strangulated hernia 
(inflamed rupture;) as the relaxation produced gives a 
disposition to all the parts to regain their proper place. 
The tepid bath is found to be very useful in the rigidities 
which follow some acute diseases, as the gout and rheuma- 
tism, and according to some, the rigidities attendant on old 
age. Its effects in promoting the cure of eruptions (herpetic,) 



256 APPENDIX. 

in slight cases of leprosy, the use of it with friction is all 
that is required ; and in all foulness of the skin it is a 
most important auxiliary. It has, also, been found very 
beneficial m cases of insanity. In general the period of 
immersion should not be less than twenty minutes, nor ex- 
ceed one hour. The partial application of warm water as 
a remedy is made by means of 
1. a. The foot bath, (pediluvium,) 

b. The hip hath, (coxcelnvium,) 

c. The hand bath, (manuluvium.) 

2d. Fomentations of vegetable decoctions; and 

e. Flannel cloths rung out of boiling water, by which 
the moisture is applied in a state of vapour. 

These partial baths are useful in the same diseases for 
which the generral baths are employed; but are better 
adapted for relieving the rigidity of single joints and topical 
inflammation, aud the hip bath has been lately found to 
be very beneficial in suppression of the monthly period, 
and for relieving the pains of cancer in utero. 

For fomentations, it is the practice to employ vegetable 
decoctions ; but the best of these can be regarded only as 
vehicles for retaining the heat and moisture. At all times, 
flannel cloths wrung out of boiling water are superior; 
both because the water is applied in the form of vapour, 
and also, while they continue as long warm they do not 
wet the bed and linen of the patient. The flannel cloths 
should be each about two yards long, with the ends sewed 
together ; so that by means of two sticks, one being at each 
end, turned in opposite directions, they may be wrung 
much dryer, when taken out of the boiling water, than 
could be effected by the hands. The principal circumstance 
to be attended to in the applications of fomentations is the 
frequent removal of them in order that a steady and con- 
stant heat may be applied to the fomented part. 







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